1950s Family Dynamics Today’s Topic: Televisions and the Evolution of the American Family

The American Family via TV Sitcom Interpretation Sitcom = Situation Comedy: a humorous drama based on situations that arise in day-to-day life Usually runs 22 minutes

Indian Head Test Card = TV Sign-Off

FCC = The Federal Communications Commission (created in1939) (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable

FCC Regulations (since 1952) prohibits "obscene and indecent" material: Programming is considered obscene if "the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material appeals to the prurient interest; that the material describes or depicts sexual conduct in a patently offensive manner; or taken as whole, the material lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.“ to require balance and "fairness" in political programming (dropped in the 1980s) insist that a certain percentage of each broadcast week be devoted to what it termed "public use.“

Father Knows Best 1950s Subject Matter: White Collar Suburban American Family

Father Knows Best 1950s Middle Class Dad works, Mom at home Parents = very involved Kids = very respectful = whole house revolves around the children WHY is it like this? Reflecting the social pressures of the 1950s to be the ideal family Fight communism by being perfect Americans

I Love Lucy 1950s Subject Matter: Blue Collar Urban Breaking the Rules! Stars a Woman Interracial couple Season 4 Lucy = Pregnant

Bewitched 1960s Middle Class Dad works, Mom works part time Parents = less involved 1 st decade that shows Imperfect marriages (fighting) Kids = not really the center of the home Anymore WHY is it like this? Feminism; Strong Females that no longer Want to do what they are told

All in the Family 1970s -Lower Middle Class -Daughter is a Baby Boomer all grown-up -Archie Bunker is a racist/sexist -Spent 5 yrs as CBS’s #1 Hit (Cosby Show & Idol) -Forever changed TV…no topic was too controversial e2EhG-UPg

All in the Family Disclaimer: The program you are about to see is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns. By making them a source of laughter we hope to show, in a mature fashion, just how absurd they are.

Archie and Edith Bunker's chairs on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Then-US President Richard Nixon can be heard discussing the show (specifically the 1971 episodes) on one of the infamous Watergate tapes

Charles in Charge 1980s Upper Middle Class Big house, family can afford Nice things (kids get allowance) Also more $ = more kids Both Parents work Parents = less involved Kids =rebellious, look to other kids for how to act WHY is it like this? Economic Shift In the 1980s. Both parents had to work to live. Had more money, but less time at home. Kids were left feeling abandoned and parents were out of touch.

The 1980s in general Breakfast Club and 16 Candles 1.) Lots of teenage rebellion 2.) Lack of parental control (“parents just don’t understand) 3.) 1 st signs of dysfunctional family life!

Married with Children 1990s Lower middle class Parents= These are the spoiled 1950s kids grown up! Trapped in their “glory days” Kids = totally rebellious trying to do everything opposite of their parents WHY is it like this? In the 1980s rich got richer Poor got poorer which created a more noticeable gap between people. Cable TV = new Hadn’t been fully censored yet. Clinton is the president! Values??