Margaret went to college and so does Betty - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Tankeryanker · 05-22-2020, 03:50 PM

Margaret stays home and tends house. Is there ever an episode where Betty states she understands she too will be a housewife or states that she is going to NOT be a housewife?

It seems that after college in the Anderson household, it is downhill for educated women.

stevea · 05-22-2020, 10:07 PM

I don't think Betty ever said either one. In a season 2 episode she is intent on going into surveying. She joins a crew and her boss is a guy who today would be a male chauvinist.

Yes in the Donna Stone, Margaret Anderson, and June Cleaver world the women go to college and go on to be house fraus. I'd like to think the Mary Stone and Betty Anderson characters went on to careers other than home economics.

Tankeryanker · 05-23-2020, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Yes in the Donna Stone, Margaret Anderson, and June Cleaver world the women go to college and go on to be house fraus.

So they went to school and got their MRS degree.

Nothing wrong with that as later the could go to law school, medical school, or go and get an MBA after the kids were grown, but somehow, I do not think that they did. and that is okay too.

It's funny to watch Betty and Mary go through college and not seem to even notice where their mothers ended up.

stevea · 05-23-2020, 10:35 AM

In one season 4 or 5 episode Margaret took a college course (we know she went to college but we don't know if she graduated), and the theme was that she crashed Betty's world. Maybe she went on with that and no more scripts were written on it.

Tankeryanker · 05-23-2020, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

In one season 4 or 5 episode Margaret took a college course (we know she went to college but we don't know if she graduated),

It would be very doubtful for a man to go to college to get educated and to find an educated spouse, to settle for a dropout. Most want someone who can complete what they start.

It would also mean that the man is setting his future children up for a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of mother. Not the best way to raise kids in a forward-thinking world, where a man wants the best.

Tabitha2 · 07-12-2020, 05:38 PM

With all that in mind I remember an episode where Margaret is bring Mrs fixit and a female Doctor visits then Margaret talks about all the things she might have been. June Cleaver went to college but she never had that kind of pro active episode that I recall.

Tankeryanker · 07-12-2020, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tabitha2

With all that in mind I remember an episode where Margaret is bring Mrs fixit and a female Doctor visits then Margaret talks about all the things she might have been. June Cleaver went to college but she never had that kind of pro active episode that I recall.

I haven't seen the female doctor one yet. I'll keep my eye out for it. Thanks.
Honestly, none of the educated women had it that bad in their lives. They were prepared academically for when the world changed and they could have more if they wanted it. And, June did not have it bad at all. She was always styling and Ward kept her well dressed.

stevea · 07-12-2020, 06:01 PM

Very true. Actually the Margaret Anderson character was very interesting.

She got tired of her family bragging about their medals and trophies, so she took fly casting lessons, to compete in a tournament. A young woman whom the Andersons were selling their baby crib was about to leave her husband, and Margaret gave a stirring speech to talk her out of it. Bud wanted a motor scooter and her husband was going along with the idea--she put her foot down and said no way. Only when Bud convinced her he was old enough, dod she relent.

Although the character was definitely "of the time"--the mid to late 50s--she was nevertheless feisty, no nonsense, and assertive--far from June Cleaver.

stevea · 07-12-2020, 06:04 PM

Oh, the episode is "An Extraordinary Woman," with the late Constance Ford, S5/Ep28. This is on Antenna TV Tuesday morning.

Tankeryanker · 07-12-2020, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Oh, the episode is "An Extraordinary Woman," with the late Constance Ford, S5/Ep28. This is on Antenna TV Tuesday morning.

Oh, okay. I do not have seasons 5 and 6 yet. Thanks

Scrabjan1 · 01-16-2021, 11:36 AM

This series attacked social problems so much more than LITB. The one about homelessness, that kid Fred who slept in an old bus. How sad! That awful ‘friend’ of Betty’s who indicated now the Andersons were stuck with him. She was downright diabolical. I would have grabbed back that sweater. Beaver had the one with Mr. Jeff but not until ‘63. Wonder if FKB touched on alcoholism or divorce. We know poor Robert Young drank a lot on the set according to Gray.

stevea · 01-16-2021, 12:33 PM

The "Fred" episode, the homeless kid, is the closest they came to dealing with a broken home.

They had Frank the Hispanic gardener, and dealt with bias against him, in season 6. The guy who later played Larry Tate didn't want him in a program with the governor.

Tankeryanker · 01-16-2021, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

In one season 4 or 5 episode Margaret took a college course (we know she went to college but we don't know if she graduated), and the theme was that she crashed Betty's world. Maybe she went on with that and no more scripts were written on it.

I got to thinking that this might have been like Margaret driving. She drives in an early episode but has to learn to drive in a later episode.

05-22-2020, 03:50 PM	#1
Tankeryanker Do you like my monkey picture? Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 22, 2014 Posts: 3,046	Margaret went to college and so does Betty Margaret stays home and tends house. Is there ever an episode where Betty states she understands she too will be a housewife or states that she is going to NOT be a housewife? It seems that after college in the Anderson household, it is downhill for educated women.
	Last edited by Tankeryanker; 05-22-2020 at 04:47 PM.

05-22-2020, 10:07 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,536	I don't think Betty ever said either one. In a season 2 episode she is intent on going into surveying. She joins a crew and her boss is a guy who today would be a male chauvinist. Yes in the Donna Stone, Margaret Anderson, and June Cleaver world the women go to college and go on to be house fraus. I'd like to think the Mary Stone and Betty Anderson characters went on to careers other than home economics.

05-23-2020, 10:35 AM	#4
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,536	In one season 4 or 5 episode Margaret took a college course (we know she went to college but we don't know if she graduated), and the theme was that she crashed Betty's world. Maybe she went on with that and no more scripts were written on it.

07-12-2020, 05:38 PM	#6
Tabitha2 Member First Time Poster Join Date: Jul 12, 2020 Posts: 1	With all that in mind I remember an episode where Margaret is bring Mrs fixit and a female Doctor visits then Margaret talks about all the things she might have been. June Cleaver went to college but she never had that kind of pro active episode that I recall.

07-12-2020, 06:01 PM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,536	Very true. Actually the Margaret Anderson character was very interesting. She got tired of her family bragging about their medals and trophies, so she took fly casting lessons, to compete in a tournament. A young woman whom the Andersons were selling their baby crib was about to leave her husband, and Margaret gave a stirring speech to talk her out of it. Bud wanted a motor scooter and her husband was going along with the idea--she put her foot down and said no way. Only when Bud convinced her he was old enough, dod she relent. Although the character was definitely "of the time"--the mid to late 50s--she was nevertheless feisty, no nonsense, and assertive--far from June Cleaver.

07-12-2020, 06:04 PM	#9
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,536	Oh, the episode is "An Extraordinary Woman," with the late Constance Ford, S5/Ep28. This is on Antenna TV Tuesday morning.

01-16-2021, 11:36 AM	#11
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	This series attacked social problems so much more than LITB. The one about homelessness, that kid Fred who slept in an old bus. How sad! That awful ‘friend’ of Betty’s who indicated now the Andersons were stuck with him. She was downright diabolical. I would have grabbed back that sweater. Beaver had the one with Mr. Jeff but not until ‘63. Wonder if FKB touched on alcoholism or divorce. We know poor Robert Young drank a lot on the set according to Gray.

01-16-2021, 12:33 PM	#12
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,536	The "Fred" episode, the homeless kid, is the closest they came to dealing with a broken home. They had Frank the Hispanic gardener, and dealt with bias against him, in season 6. The guy who later played Larry Tate didn't want him in a program with the governor.