Instances Where Ward And/Or June Were Too Strict?

[Jack1000]

I think their parenting was pretty fair. However, there are two instances that come to mind where situations could have been solved differently:

Beaver Won't Eat (Brussels Sprouts:) June made too big a deal about this. As a kid and to this day to give you an example of my own, I can't stand the smell or sight of green peas. They make me very nauseous and I would choke and throw up if I had to eat them. Why couldn't June had just found out some vegetables that Beaver liked and serve those?

The Visiting Aunt: Aunt Martha comes and the boys have to cancel their carnival plans. To begin, I can't stand Aunt Martha. I find her domineering, arrogant, and controlling. What June saw in her growing up I have no idea. Her ways were just too manipulative. I know that back in the 50's-60's and prior to that, some families would be so insisting that kids had to be there when the relatives came. You would literally have to postpone your own funeral to be there to say "hi" to elderly people.

Ward's speech at the end is very nice about "sometimes having to make yourself a little unhappy, in order to make other people happy." But would it really have been a catastrophic calamity if Martha and Mrs. Hathaway her friend came over, and June or Ward could have said, "The boys are sorry they couldn't be here Aunt Martha, but two weeks ago they got tickets for the carnival and were so excited about going?

I mean, Chester, Lumpy, and Tooey, had plans to go to the carnival with Wally and Beaver. That's three other people that were made unhappy, all because of Aunt Martha. It's like the rights and happiness of the adults in those days takes precedence over the rights of the kids. I guess that's how it was back than.

Jack

[1960'sTVfan]

The Brussels Sprouts episode I agree, June went a bit too far but that's how the episode was written. I think they had to have June make a big deal over the Brussels Sprouts to set up the scene in the restaurant, where guess what, Brussels Sprouts are served. What a coincidence. The second example you mention is all about respect for your elders, something that is totally non-existant in the hooligan youth of today. From Ward and June's point of view, what they were trying to teach Wally and Beaver is, "there will be another day for the carnival, but it's not often Aunt Martha comes to visit, so cancel your plans this time and stay home, Aunt Martha looks forward to see you boys."

[mets82]

Originally Posted by Jack1000

I think their parenting was pretty fair. However, there are two instances that come to mind where situations could have been solved differently:

Beaver Won't Eat (Brussels Sprouts June made too big a deal about this. As a kid and to this day to give you an example of my own, I can't stand the smell or sight of green peas. They make me very nauseous and I would choke and throw up if I had to eat them. Why couldn't June had just found out some vegetables that Beaver liked and serve those?

The Visiting Aunt: Aunt Martha comes and the boys have to cancel their carnival plans. To begin, I can't stand Aunt Martha. I find her domineering, arrogant, and controlling. What June saw in her growing up I have no idea. Her ways were just too manipulative. I know that back in the 50's-60's and prior to that, some families would be so insisting that kids had to be there when the relatives came. You would literally have to postpone your own funeral to be there to say "hi" to elderly people.

Ward's speech at the end is very nice about "sometimes having to make yourself a little unhappy, in order to make other people happy." But would it really have been a catastrophic calamity if Martha and Mrs. Hathaway her friend came over, and June or Ward could have said, "The boys are sorry they couldn't be here Aunt Martha, but two weeks ago they got tickets for the carnival and were so excited about going?

I mean, Chester, Lumpy, and Tooey, had plans to go to the carnival with Wally and Beaver. That's three other people that were made unhappy, all because of Aunt Martha. It's like the rights and happiness of the adults in those days takes precedence over the rights of the kids. I guess that's how it was back than.

Jack

PREACH, PREACH. Jack, your right. You have the same first name as me and your right. June did make a big deal out of the brussel sprouts. Let it go. Aunt Martha, I dont remember that episode but I have to watch it to fully understand what your talking about. I also thought June was a pain when the brothers made the pact to do everything together. Im all for family togetherness and hanging out together but not on every single thing that they do. I mean under June's idea, if she had a son and a daughter, she'd probably want them to go the prom together as well. LOL

Now, anybody who reads this section on Leave it to Beaver knows that I took Ward and Junes parenting to class. But I have noticed one thing. It seems like Ward is a little more realistic on certain things. He knew the brotherly pact wouldnt work out. I mean it just seemed like he understood the boys problems a little more than June. What about when Aunt Martha made Beaver wear that stupid suit to school with the beanie hat and the high knee socks. Ward did a very good thing by having a change of clothes in the garage for the Beaver. That was good thing Ward did.

[MickeyMac]

I think June was too tough with the brussel sprouts thing. Its one of the few times she got tought. Lots of times she would worry, and be a bit over motherly.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by mets82

Now, anybody who reads this section on Leave it to Beaver knows that I took Ward and Junes parenting to class. But I have noticed one thing. It seems like Ward is a little more realistic on certain things. He knew the brotherly pact wouldnt work out. I mean it just seemed like he understood the boys problems a little more than June.

That's because a father can relate to his sons problems better than the mother can, the father was once a boy himself. If Ward and June had daughters instead of sons, June would relate to them better while Ward wouldn't have a clue.

[Hughsgirl]

June was actually quite rediculous in both episodes. She told the boys they could go after Martha and her snooty friend left and then SHE insisted that they stay for lunch! That's what made me mad. First she accepted the lousy last minute invitation without consulting any of the men in the family and then she couldn't let the old bat leave when she should have...yes, I said old bat! In Beaver's short pants, Ward was polite as alwys when I would have went to her and said, look here, I'm the boss around here and my son will not leave this house looking like a sissy!

[mets82]

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

June was actually quite rediculous in both episodes. She told the boys they could go after Martha and her snooty friend left and then SHE insisted that they stay for lunch! That's what made me mad. First she accepted the lousy last minute invitation without consulting any of the men in the family and then she couldn't let the old bat leave when she should have...yes, I said old bat! In Beaver's short pants, Ward was polite as alwys when I would have went to her and said, look here, I'm the boss around here and my son will not leave this house looking like a sissy!

HAHAHAHA!! Your right on both accounts. She did seem to be overly motherly. You know else got to me. Maybe you guys didnt notice this but did you notice a lot of the times, June kept saying "The boys will get ideas." Uh, well there kids!! What do you want them to do? Just sit there?

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by mets82

Maybe you guys didnt notice this but did you notice a lot of the times, June kept saying "The boys will get ideas." Uh, well there kids!! What do you want them to do? Just sit there?

You have to look at this show from a 1950's point of view, a time when parents actually tried to raise their kids properly, taught them to be decent young people and respect others. Unlike todays parents that don't have time to be bothered to raise their kids properly, there is no discipline anymore so the kids are disrespectful and behave like wild hooligans.

[Hughsgirl]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

You have to look at this show from a 1950's point of view, a time when parents actually tried to raise their kids properly, taught them to be decent young people and respect others. Unlike todays parents that don't have time to be bothered to raise their kids properly, there is no discipline anymore so the kids are disrespectful and behave like wild hooligans.

Very good point, but I have to laugh at that comment everytime I hear her say it. I think since she and Ward were raising them properly then she should have had more faith that they would do the right thing and most of the time they did. Although Beaver was quite stupid and it took him much longer to learn things - if he ever really did. So as far as being concerned about Beaver, I can't blame her there.

[Jack1000]

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

June was actually quite rediculous in both episodes. She told the boys they could go after Martha and her snooty friend left and then SHE insisted that they stay for lunch! That's what made me mad. First she accepted the lousy last minute invitation without consulting any of the men in the family and then she couldn't let the old bat leave when she should have...yes, I said old bat! In Beaver's short pants, Ward was polite as alwys when I would have went to her and said, look here, I'm the boss around here and my son will not leave this house looking like a sissy!

I think Martha was so arrogant. I don't think she cared for Ward either. I don't see anything about this woman that's warm and loving, or why June would be close to her. Well, actually June would be close to her, because she was raised prim and proper to respect elders.

But than you have Ward's Uncle Billy who ROCKS!!!!! Who wouldn't love the guy? But Beaver learned a strict lesson when he helped Gilbert sneak into the movies without paying. Just because someone is fun and easy going does not give you the right to take advantage of them without facing the consequences of doing that.

With regard to Martha, it was great that Ward went out to the garage so Beaver could change from that ridiculous suit into his casual clothes so he wouldn't be embarrassed at school, (Which he already had been! Wearing that suit the first time!)

And Billy not telling Ward and June about Beaver's trouble at the movies was very kind and loving of him, than explaining to Beaver that he did it, got caught, punished, and said he was sorry. He didn't want hard feelings between Beaver and he, saying that sometimes parents will say over and over that their kids are bad, and than try to live up to that behavior. He said, "I don't want that to happen to my favorite nephew." It's a great scene there, and than Beaver telling Ward and June that the story he told, was "one of the best he ever told."

Jack

[mets82]

For a change, I saw an episode where June was more relaxed and Ward wasnt. It was the episode where Beaver and Wally had to put there money in the bank. Well, Ward basically told them too. June, who I think was right, said there just kids and its there money so they should be able to spend it. Ward kind of flipped out. He said he didnt care what they did with the money, yet wanted to know what they did with it.

Well, Ward flipped his lid when he found out that Beaver and Wally didnt invest there money. Yet, his story changed when he found out that Beaver and Wally bought Ward a hunting jacket with there money. All was right in the world after that.

[MickeyMac]

Originally Posted by Jack1000

I think Martha was so arrogant. I don't think she cared for Ward either. I don't see anything about this woman that's warm and loving, or why June would be close to her. Well, actually June would be close to her, because she was raised prim and proper to respect elders.

But than you have Ward's Uncle Billy who ROCKS!!!!! Who wouldn't love the guy? But Beaver learned a strict lesson when he helped Gilbert sneak into the movies without paying. Just because someone is fun and easy going does not give you the right to take advantage of them without facing the consequences of doing that.

With regard to Martha, it was great that Ward went out to the garage so Beaver could change from that ridiculous suit into his casual clothes so he wouldn't be embarrassed at school, (Which he already had been! Wearing that suit the first time!)

And Billy not telling Ward and June about Beaver's trouble at the movies was very kind and loving of him, than explaining to Beaver that he did it, got caught, punished, and said he was sorry. He didn't want hard feelings between Beaver and he, saying that sometimes parents will say over and over that their kids are bad, and than try to live up to that behavior. He said, "I don't want that to happen to my favorite nephew." It's a great scene there, and than Beaver telling Ward and June that the story he told, was "one of the best he ever told."

Jack

Well put

[MickeyMac]

Originally Posted by mets82

For a change, I saw an episode where June was more relaxed and Ward wasnt. It was the episode where Beaver and Wally had to put there money in the bank. Well, Ward basically told them too. June, who I think was right, said there just kids and its there money so they should be able to spend it. Ward kind of flipped out. He said he didnt care what they did with the money, yet wanted to know what they did with it.

Well, Ward flipped his lid when he found out that Beaver and Wally didnt invest there money. Yet, his story changed when he found out that Beaver and Wally bought Ward a hunting jacket with there money. All was right in the world after that.

Good point, but the look on Ward's face when he saw that coat, and the look and Wally and Beaver's face when he saw the coat. What a sweet moment. It dosent anyone, they need to check and see if they still got a pulse.

[mets82]

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Good point, but the look on Ward's face when he saw that coat, and the look and Wally and Beaver's face when he saw the coat. What a sweet moment. It dosent anyone, they need to check and see if they still got a pulse.

Yes, it was a good moment. Very nice and very cool.


I got to say, June was a worry wart. Today, Wally went away to camp and she actually called Ward on the golf course to tell him it looks like rain. The funny part was when Ward said to her "You got my off the golf course for a weather report?" Then June hugs and kisses Wally in front of the boys. Come on. She was worried about the rain and then you see Wally come home and he actually says that mom(June) wants him to stay home today and tomorrow. Its just rain. He looked fine to me.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

You have to look at this show from a 1950's point of view, a time when parents actually tried to raise their kids properly, taught them to be decent young people and respect others. Unlike todays parents that don't have time to be bothered to raise their kids properly, there is no discipline anymore so the kids are disrespectful and behave like wild hooligans.

Good point, many people today watch Leave it to Beaver and similar shows from the late 50's and early 60's with a 2012 perspective. In today's world of I pads, I phones,SUV's, DVD's, DVR's lap tops and whatever other electronic devices we have......respect and obedience are forgotten words. I don't blame the kids,there is absolutely no respect even in the most affluent suburban neighborhoods . I blame today's MTV generation parents....they want to be the kids friend not their parent, especially when the parents act and essentially dress like High School kids themselves!