Was Norma Arnold on "The Wonder Years" the real disciplinarian of the kids?

[counrfk]

Jack Arnold, the father, was stern and tough. He definitely imposed discipline. It is stated in the pilot episode that he spanked Wayne at least twice. I would bet that he for sure spanked Karen when she was younger. Karen was the most headstrong of all the kids. Kevin would be too young to remember Jack spanking Karen though.

I see evidence that perhaps Norma was the primary disciplinarian. She actually swats Wayne in an episode. I can definitely see her swatting all three kids when they were younger. She was at home with them more while Jack was at work. I see Norma as being the type of mother who would have taken care of the routine discipline, but maybe let Jack tend to the serious misbehaviors. Karen would argue all day long with Jack, but I've noticed in the episodes I've watched that Karen listens more when Norma lays down the law. In the episode where they get the new car, Norma is furious with Karen for calling Jack cheap. Norma tells Karen VERY sternly to never talk that way again. Karen shuts up immediately and has a solemn look on her face.

[Corkys-Place]

Jack was more bark than bite. Karen pretty much did what she liked and Wayne wasn't much better. Remember how badly Wayne treated Kevin during the Wayne on wheels episode. Jack's lack of discipline was evident here.

[glickmam]

Originally Posted by counrfk

Jack Arnold, the father, was stern and tough. He definitely imposed discipline. It is stated in the pilot episode that he spanked Wayne at least twice. I would bet that he for sure spanked Karen when she was younger. Karen was the most headstrong of all the kids. Kevin would be too young to remember Jack spanking Karen though.

I see evidence that perhaps Norma was the primary disciplinarian. She actually swats Wayne in an episode. I can definitely see her swatting all three kids when they were younger. She was at home with them more while Jack was at work. I see Norma as being the type of mother who would have taken care of the routine discipline, but maybe let Jack tend to the serious misbehaviors. Karen would argue all day long with Jack, but I've noticed in the episodes I've watched that Karen listens more when Norma lays down the law. In the episode where they get the new car, Norma is furious with Karen for calling Jack cheap. Norma tells Karen VERY sternly to never talk that way again. Karen shuts up immediately and has a solemn look on her face.

Of course, that's how it was back then in the 50's and 60's, when the Arnold kids were children. It harkens back to the old phrase at that time: "Wait until your father gets home."

[James]

Originally Posted by counrfk

I see evidence that perhaps Norma was the primary disciplinarian. She actually swats Wayne in an episode.

Which episode? That's news to me!

[Confidenceman28]

Both parents were good at training there kids to be good in the real world its just that jack was always busy with work to spend time with his teenage kids