Times we were disappointed with Ward

[MichaelMartinD]

In anticipation of Fathers' Day, let's think about that sterling father, Ward Cleaver. Of course Ward was a fine father - one of the finest on TV - but even he had some flaws. This is the thread to discuss times when we found his behavior or parenting questionable.

It may seem a small thing, but in "Wally and Dudley" I always wished Ward would more vigorously defend Dudley and his lifestyle. Up in the boys' room, Beaver says Dudley must be a creep. Ward: "There's no reason to assume that." Huh? Why not tell Beaver to stop using such puerile epithets? When Dudley comes to the house, Ward acts like he secretly thinks Dudley looks like a weirdo with the formal attire and tries to get him to leave the hat behind.

In "Tire Trouble" I wasn't happy with how Ward acted toward the boys about the messy garage. Of course, the message of the episode was ultimately on the boys' side.

[mets82]

I didn't like Ward. To me, he came off too stern and strict. I'm not saying the boys should've walked all over him but still. I haven't seen the show in a while but from what I remember I didn't like Ward.

[stevea]

I think there are times Ward was too quick to believe the worst about Beaver. For example, he jumped on him to vigorously when Larry drilled the hole in the garage. Yes, Beaver let it happen, but Ward should have let things cool down a little and then exact a punishment later. As a parent, you have to punish the child--they should never be messing with power tools at this age. He might have emphasized the danger of the tool, and then talked about the damage to the garage.

Another instance is finding the altered report card after June had been advised of the D-grade by Miss Landers. "Why that little so and so," or words to that effect, says Ward. Immediately assuming Beaver's guilt. Yes, Ward apologized. Wally tell Beaver he knows Beaver wouldn't do that. Ward should have done some investigating before accusing Beaver.

Part of the stern and strict reputation probably stems from the insistence on calling him Sir. That may have been a 40s thing but growing up in the 50s and 60s, I didn't know any family where that practice was used.

[TSMIV]

Part of the stern and strict reputation probably stems from the insistence on calling him Sir. That may have been a 40s thing but growing up in the 50s and 60s, I didn't know any family where that practice was used.

I grew up in the 1980s (in the south) and knew some parents who did expect their kids to call them sir and ma'am. There's nothing wrong with manners and politeness, but such formalities among immediate family members has always been weird to me. If kids can't relax and be themselves at home, where can they?

[MichaelMartinD]

Originally Posted by stevea

Part of the stern and strict reputation probably stems from the insistence on calling him Sir. That may have been a 40s thing but growing up in the 50s and 60s, I didn't know any family where that practice was used.

I believe they only use "sir" when they are in trouble or being reprimanded.

There's a line from the movie 12 Angry Men, made in 1957 the year LITB came out. One character says, "When I was a boy, I used to call my father 'sir.' You ever hear a kid call his father that any more?" So I guess the practice was on its way out by 1957.

[Scrabjan1]

I remember that line in 12 Angry Men. Great film. Lee J. Cobb was the angriest man.

I think Ward was very stern in the later episodes but a real humorous man in the first 2 episodes. I though Ward was too quick to judge in Beaver’s Report Card too. He just assumed he changed his grade. Beaver didn’t even know his report card was on the desk. The report card also should’ve been in a sealed envelope not just the flap open for inquiring minds.

I thought Ward was mean in Beaver, the Hypnotist yelling at everyone to leave him alone.

He really lost his cool in Ward’s Baseball but Beaver and Larry did destroy an expensive item that later would bring thousands of dollars.

[stevea]

You probably meant the first two seasons.

In the Report Card episode, W&J should have also read something in Beaver's responses. He wasn't acting like the normal guilty Beaver when accused. W&J both flubbed up in this episode. I need to see who wrote this one!

[getsmartbeaver]

In "Baby Picture," when Ward told Beaver that there is nothing to be ashamed of about that picture. Uh, yes there is, he doesn't have any clothes on! Incidentally, I have seen that photo used on "The Monkees," so it's not Jerry Mathers.

[stevea]

Beaver's answer to that was, "There is when it's you."

I wonder who the poor kid really was. Probably some unlucky director who lost a coin toss.

[Scrabjan1]

That’s right first 2 “seasons” Ward was casual and more laid back than the suited formal Ward of season 6. I did like Ward showing Wally how to introduce himself and get votes. Beaver thought he was being funny. Ward did give Wally a bum steer. Ward could be very humorless lots of times. In the beginning of Beaver’s Prize when he puts his hand in the drawer with the ink he lost it. Are you mad at me too? “No but you watch your step too!”

I also saw that same photo of a naked baby on the Monkees.

[stevea]

On the other hand I liked how he handled Beaver in Beaver's Tree. You can excuse W&J for sending the boys to their room--they were late for the Rutherfords. But when they got back and Beaver explained, Ward handled it well.