Just A Thought - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tiqco · 11-23-2008, 01:02 PM

Leave It to Beaver is problematic in that it allows the stereotype of the housewife to persist. Portraying women as just a homemaker is degrading and incorrect. It holds women back from being seen as more by society. Reruns of the show can still be seen today, these reruns could introduce the stereotype of the homemaker to younger viewers who were not previously aware of this image. Introducing this image of women as just homemakers to younger generations is extremely negative because it allows the stereotypes to resurface in society.

Just a concern

Zoneboy · 11-23-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiqco

Leave It to Beaver is problematic in that it allows the stereotype of the housewife to persist. Portraying women as just a homemaker is degrading and incorrect. It holds women back from being seen as more by society. Reruns of the show can still be seen today, these reruns could introduce the stereotype of the homemaker to younger viewers who were not previously aware of this image. Introducing this image of women as just homemakers to younger generations is extremely negative because it allows the stereotypes to resurface in society.

Just a concern

I doubt this will be detrimental to the brains of the younger generation. This show is no more stereotypical to women than Amos 'N Andy is to blacks.

gidgetgrape · 11-23-2008, 01:29 PM

It sounds like you're writing a college thesis.

Anywho, I think you picked the wrong show to criticize since June Cleaver isn't the main focus of the show. It's about the children, Wally and Beaver. Most children will see their mothers (or another female) doing the majority of the cleaning and mothering in their homes anyway. But, they'll also see their mother has other interests, talents and a career.

MickeyMac · 11-23-2008, 03:05 PM

I dont think its stereotypical at all. You have to look at the times. Back then in a lot of families, the husband was the breadwinner and the wife stayed home. Life was quite like it was on this show, but it was sort of a reflection of 1950's America. Just ask folks who were around back then.

Hughsgirl · 11-27-2008, 04:39 PM

First of all, welcome to the board tiqco. Whatever your opinion, I personally don't feel alot of the younger generation watches LITB with all the crap shows on including the reality shows, but thanks for sharing. I would like to add that one big positive spin on the show is that Ward and June model wonderful parents who admit when they are wrong and have the patience of Jobe and could teach alot of people with that too.

MickeyMac · 11-29-2008, 03:56 PM

Lets face it Leave It To Beaver is just way better than the crap they are showing nowadays.

Dusty's Fan · 12-01-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiqco

Leave It to Beaver is problematic in that it allows the stereotype of the housewife to persist. Portraying women as just a homemaker is degrading and incorrect.

Everyone who watches the episodes today is aware that the entire series is over 45 years old, including young children. There's nothing wrong with people seeing a woman as a suburban homemaker of the late '50s - early '60s, IMHO.

While most didn't vacuum in pearls and high heels like June did, the fact remains that many, many women of the period were stay-at-home moms and it's educational for young people to learn about how things were. My mom was a housewife of the '60s and up and I don't find anything "degrading" at all about that. You might instead look to current shows that exploit women for their bodies. That's where you will find degrading material.

Hughsgirl · 12-01-2008, 09:22 PM

[QUOTE=Dusty's Fan]Everyone who watches the episodes today is aware that the entire series is over 45 years old, including young children. There's nothing wrong with people seeing a woman as a suburban homemaker of the late '50s - early '60s, IMHO.

While most didn't vacuum in pearls and high heels like June did, the fact remains that many, many women of the period were stay-at-home moms and it's educational for young people to learn about how things were. My mom was a housewife of the '60s and up and I don't find anything "degrading" at all about that. You might instead look to current shows that exploit women for their bodies. That's where you will find degrading material.[/QUOTE

Hey Dusty's Fan, that last line was a very good point, thank you!

11-23-2008, 01:02 PM	#1
tiqco Member First Time Poster Join Date: Nov 23, 2008 Location: hamilton Posts: 1	Just A Thought Leave It to Beaver is problematic in that it allows the stereotype of the housewife to persist. Portraying women as just a homemaker is degrading and incorrect. It holds women back from being seen as more by society. Reruns of the show can still be seen today, these reruns could introduce the stereotype of the homemaker to younger viewers who were not previously aware of this image. Introducing this image of women as just homemakers to younger generations is extremely negative because it allows the stereotypes to resurface in society. Just a concern

11-23-2008, 01:29 PM	#3
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,504	It sounds like you're writing a college thesis. Anywho, I think you picked the wrong show to criticize since June Cleaver isn't the main focus of the show. It's about the children, Wally and Beaver. Most children will see their mothers (or another female) doing the majority of the cleaning and mothering in their homes anyway. But, they'll also see their mother has other interests, talents and a career.

11-23-2008, 03:05 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	I dont think its stereotypical at all. You have to look at the times. Back then in a lot of families, the husband was the breadwinner and the wife stayed home. Life was quite like it was on this show, but it was sort of a reflection of 1950's America. Just ask folks who were around back then.

11-27-2008, 04:39 PM	#5
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	First of all, welcome to the board tiqco. Whatever your opinion, I personally don't feel alot of the younger generation watches LITB with all the crap shows on including the reality shows, but thanks for sharing. I would like to add that one big positive spin on the show is that Ward and June model wonderful parents who admit when they are wrong and have the patience of Jobe and could teach alot of people with that too.

11-29-2008, 03:56 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Lets face it Leave It To Beaver is just way better than the crap they are showing nowadays.

12-01-2008, 09:22 PM	#8
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	[QUOTE=Dusty's Fan]Everyone who watches the episodes today is aware that the entire series is over 45 years old, including young children. There's nothing wrong with people seeing a woman as a suburban homemaker of the late '50s - early '60s, IMHO. While most didn't vacuum in pearls and high heels like June did, the fact remains that many, many women of the period were stay-at-home moms and it's educational for young people to learn about how things were. My mom was a housewife of the '60s and up and I don't find anything "degrading" at all about that. You might instead look to current shows that exploit women for their bodies. That's where you will find degrading material.[/QUOTE Hey Dusty's Fan, that last line was a very good point, thank you!