Ethnographic Notes C

From 1957 until 1963, families would sit down weekly to watch the show “Leave it to Beaver”.  This was a show about the Cleaver family, the father was Ward, mother June, oldest son, Wally, and youngest son Theodore, or Beaver (as he was affectionately called).   “Leave it to Beaver” showed adolescents that “honesty is the best policy” through different lessons learned by Wally and the Beav.  If the children lied, they were subject to discipline by their fathers, who were considered the head of the household.  Although the show did portray the fathers as the head of the household, a value that was placed on open communication among parents was an integral part of the weekly series.  When deciding was punishment to instill on the boys for their wrongdoing, both Ward and June would have a discussionand come to a consensus about how to handle the situation.  Another value taught to the children was that they should listen to their parents.  Ward Cleaver (the father) was full of wisdom to instill upon his children.  Wally and Beaver were often tempted to stray from the moral path from the instigator Eddie Haskill.  Eddie would tempt the Cleaver boys with his conniving ways which always resulted in some sort of trouble.  When Wally and Beaver would get into trouble, after having a talk with his father, he would apologize for his behavior- a way to return to his righteous path after straying.

I don’t watch much television these days, but when I was younger I used to watch “Leave it to Beaver”.  I always thought I would live a life very similar, a stay at home mom who cooks and cleans for the family. Having a husband who worked to support our way of life. It was a dream that most people don’t get to realize anymore. After growing up and becoming a mom myself I realize that people are lucky if they can live on a single source of income.  Another thing I learned is to respect and value family at all costs. Families are very precious. If you don’t have a family you really don’t have anything. Living life alone is not something that most people can bear.  If you disrespect your family it will be very hard to gain respect back. The members of your family will have to learn to trust you again, if they are willing to do so.