Who was the better TV mother? June Cleaver-from "Leave it to Beaver" or Laura? I would have to say that June was the better mother b/c she was more domestic than Laura.

Oh Mama!
I wouldn't bet on June being the more domestic one. However, I do think June was much more *shown* in that light than Laura was. Thinking back over the episodes, it seems Laura always did the shopping, cooked the meals, kept the house, ran the errands, and helped with the homework. We also know that she was involved with the PTA.
Seems pretty domestic to me, but I'll bet you think I'm biased, don't you?

Steve

Here's the thing: June was kind of a background player, whereas Laura was a star of her show. Therefore, June had much more time to cook and clean. Laura was busy performing on her husband's t.v. show and in local prisons.

If we're picking best mother, I'd have to give it to June. But, if we're debating over who looks better in a ball and chain, then I'll go with Laura.

I think I would have preferred to have Laura as a mother. June always seemed so "cold". Laura was much more outgoing, outspoken and warm. She didnt seem as fussy as June. (I never saw Laura pull jars from the cabinet to wipe them down!). Laura was more relaxed...

Then again, we're talking two different decades...the 50s were far more conservative and uptight than the 60s were...



~Pickles

I think they were both portrayed as wonderful mothers. I don't think one outshines the other. They were both caring, involved mothers who kept a great house.
The question is what character appeals to you and who would you rather have as a mother.
I'd go for Laura myself for no other reason than I'm a fan of the DVD show and never got into LITB too much.
If this question was posted on the LITB board, June would get the majority of votes.

Both were depicted as fine mothers. But they were different. June was obviously in her mid 30's while Laura was in her mid 20's. They were different era's though they did overlap from 1961-1963. Laura was surrounded by the bright lights of show buisness and lived in the suburbs of New York City. June, I think, lived in some small midwestern city and was the wife of (I think) an insurance salesman. I think the Petries were liberals who voted for JFK while the Cleavers were probably conservatives who voted for Nixon in 1960. Laura cleaned her house wearing confortable capre pants while June did her cleaning in a long dress and wearing pearls. I never found June cold--but as someone also mentioned the focus wasn't always on her. Both were good mothers who seemed to be very involved in there children's lives. Though Laura was more of a rebel who would stand up to Rob on occassion. I don't think I ever recall June and Ward ever having a real arguement.

Many DVD episodes were designed to showcase Laura as a mother; however, since the focus on LITB was on the kids (Beaver in particular), June got more airtime playing Mom.

The focus on DVD was Rob's work and his relationship with Laura. Since it was an adult comedy, they hid Richie for the most part as they do with all three kids on Everybody Loves Raymond today.

sorry but I have to go with june she was every childs dream mother. Oh yea and I should mention that i'm new here. :talk: