Yes, Sir. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BrandonS · 04-17-2003, 01:23 AM

Wally and Beaver are exceptionally obedient to their parents. Now it's true that when the parents aren't around, Beaver often does the opposite of what he was told, but when Ward or June give them an order, no matter how distasteful Beaver or Wally find it, they always say, "Yes, Sir" and at that moment intend to obey it. Do you admire this or do you think it's a bad thing?

For myself, I was rarely obedient to my parents, but I sort of admire it in Beaver and Wally, because I think it springs from the fact that they perceive correctly that Ward and June always have their best interests at heart and deserve it more than most parents. If their parents were undeserving, I wouldn't want them to be so respectful or obedient, but with Ward and June as parents, it strikes me as a good thing.

frani · 04-17-2003, 11:03 AM

I have to say, being a few years younger than Jerry Mathers, and being their age when the show was done, that you didn't talk back to adults or whine or act fresh. You just didn't.

Kitt · 04-17-2003, 04:10 PM

Beaver and Wally argued with Ward and June quite often. Sometimes Beaver even ran into the bathroom and refused to come out. When his dad said "You come out of there, Beaver, right now! Beaver would refuse.

When Ward tried to explain to Wally in his teenage years about something, Wally could be quite obstinate and huff off. Even if he did say "yes sir" he didn 't say it with any conviction. Often times, when an episode was coming to a close, Ward would tell the boys that they were right and he was wrong. He'd tell them he was learning just as they were learning.

The general respect that the boys showed to their parents was a good thing. But their cantankerous attitudes, and their refusal to give in sometimes, was also a good thing. Kids can teach us a lot. That was one of the morals to the story of that great show, "Leave It To Beaver".

*InThisMoment* · 04-17-2003, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kitt
Beaver and Wally argued with Ward and June quite often. Sometimes Beaver even ran into the bathroom and refused to come out. When his dad said "You come out of there, Beaver, right now! Beaver would refuse.

When Ward tried to explain to Wally in his teenage years about something, Wally could be quite obstinate and huff off. Even if he did say "yes sir" he didn 't say it with any conviction. Often times, when an episode was coming to a close, Ward would tell the boys that they were right and he was wrong. He'd tell them he was learning just as they were learning.

The general respect that the boys showed to their parents was a good thing. But their cantankerous attitudes, and their refusal to give in sometimes, was also a good thing. Kids can teach us a lot. That was one of the morals to the story of that great show, "Leave It To Beaver".

i agree.beaver and wally were so nice and had well manners.always saying "yes sir" to ward even if they didn't really like what he was saying.

HaskellGirl · 04-17-2003, 04:32 PM

I think its good that Beaver and Wally are respectful of their parents. I wasn't taught to say "sir" or "ma'am" to my parents or anyone else, so to my ears, it seems a bit militaristic. I do have friends (especially in the south) who were raised that way, and to them, it just sounds respectful. I'm trying to remember, but I really don't think Wally or Beaver's kids said "yes, sir" or "no, sir" to their dads. Anyway, I've said this before, but sometimes I think Wally and Beaver are too acquiescing to their parents, especially Wally in the later years. I like it when Beaver speaks up to his parents, it shows he has some spunk. You can respect your parents, but also stand up for yourself once in awhile.

GeeBee · 06-23-2003, 02:34 AM

One thing I've always found curious is that the boys usually said, "Yes, Sir" to their father, but always said, "Yes, Mom" to their mother instead of "Yes, Ma'am."

BrandonS · 06-23-2003, 07:31 AM

Welcome to the boards!

Mrs. Ducky · 06-23-2003, 12:26 PM

I guess times have really changed. I don't say yes, sir or yes, ma'am, I say OK

.

04-17-2003, 01:23 AM	#1
BrandonS Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 8,824	Yes, Sir. Wally and Beaver are exceptionally obedient to their parents. Now it's true that when the parents aren't around, Beaver often does the opposite of what he was told, but when Ward or June give them an order, no matter how distasteful Beaver or Wally find it, they always say, "Yes, Sir" and at that moment intend to obey it. Do you admire this or do you think it's a bad thing? For myself, I was rarely obedient to my parents, but I sort of admire it in Beaver and Wally, because I think it springs from the fact that they perceive correctly that Ward and June always have their best interests at heart and deserve it more than most parents. If their parents were undeserving, I wouldn't want them to be so respectful or obedient, but with Ward and June as parents, it strikes me as a good thing.

06-23-2003, 12:26 PM	#8
Mrs. Ducky Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2003 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,461	I guess times have really changed. I don't say yes, sir or yes, ma'am, I say OK .
	__________________ “If television's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up.” Dorothy Gambrell

04-17-2003, 11:03 AM	#2
frani Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 445	I have to say, being a few years younger than Jerry Mathers, and being their age when the show was done, that you didn't talk back to adults or whine or act fresh. You just didn't.

04-17-2003, 04:10 PM	#3
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	Beaver and Wally argued with Ward and June quite often. Sometimes Beaver even ran into the bathroom and refused to come out. When his dad said "You come out of there, Beaver, right now! Beaver would refuse. When Ward tried to explain to Wally in his teenage years about something, Wally could be quite obstinate and huff off. Even if he did say "yes sir" he didn 't say it with any conviction. Often times, when an episode was coming to a close, Ward would tell the boys that they were right and he was wrong. He'd tell them he was learning just as they were learning. The general respect that the boys showed to their parents was a good thing. But their cantankerous attitudes, and their refusal to give in sometimes, was also a good thing. Kids can teach us a lot. That was one of the morals to the story of that great show, "Leave It To Beaver".

04-17-2003, 04:32 PM	#5
HaskellGirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Posts: 590	I think its good that Beaver and Wally are respectful of their parents. I wasn't taught to say "sir" or "ma'am" to my parents or anyone else, so to my ears, it seems a bit militaristic. I do have friends (especially in the south) who were raised that way, and to them, it just sounds respectful. I'm trying to remember, but I really don't think Wally or Beaver's kids said "yes, sir" or "no, sir" to their dads. Anyway, I've said this before, but sometimes I think Wally and Beaver are too acquiescing to their parents, especially Wally in the later years. I like it when Beaver speaks up to his parents, it shows he has some spunk. You can respect your parents, but also stand up for yourself once in awhile.

06-23-2003, 02:34 AM	#6
GeeBee Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2003 Posts: 1,578	One thing I've always found curious is that the boys usually said, "Yes, Sir" to their father, but always said, "Yes, Mom" to their mother instead of "Yes, Ma'am."

06-23-2003, 07:31 AM	#7
BrandonS Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 8,824	Welcome to the boards!