Why were women portrayed as weaklings in 1960s westerns?

Question

In shows like Bonanza especially women are always weak and vulnerable. They are incapable of doing anything. They scare easily and always must be rescued. Shows before the 1960s were not like this. Films from earlier periods portrayed women as strong and capable. Women in the old days were just the opposite of their portrayal in '60s shows. my great-grandmother was as tough as nails. She was very feminine but very strong. She killed rats and snakes in her house and certainly was not scared of anything. Why did 1960s shows want to have women appear so weak and always in need of men saving them?

Answer 1

Because men were writing them and financing them.

Answer 2

Why are men now portrayed as dumb idiots in the 21st century?

Anyway it is probably because:
1) the intended odience was men.
2) because it had some truth to it. I agree that not all women are scared of rats and stuff but I know lots that wouldn't even need to act the role since they are so good at playing the weakling.
3) Women like to be rescued by guys. More romantic or something I guess.

Answer 3

I like nowyoukn's answer. And who the hell decided that "Bonanza" was a good name for Western TV series? Did some producer get a snootfull or something?

But if you want to check out the ultimate piggy Western, rent "McLintock," where John Wayne AND his son run around spanking every woman in sight. Maureen O'Hara, inexplicably running around in her drawers gets whupped on with a coal shovel at the end (pun intended).

Even as a male I thought it was pretty degrading to women. Like they were all spoiled little children that needed a good ***-whuppin' every once in a while to make them behave.

And BABA, I don't think any of those films you mentioned qualify as "Westerns," unless the mere fact that they were filmed in California does so.

Answer 4

Because generally, in the 19th century, it was the man's job to provide for, and to protect women and children. I don't know that their intent was to portray them as weak and defenseless, but more to show that the male was the alpha dog and would do what was needed to feed and protect his family. The women had the more traditional role of taking care of children, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and other general housework.

Answer 5

The Cartwrights had to have someone to "save" or rescue. And if the one getting saved was a pretty, demure female, so much the better. It probably got better ratings back then, than a woman who could kill her own snakes and rats.

Answer 6

Someone had to be the weaklings, the horses sure wasn't going to play the part.

Answer 7

because the actresses accepted the roles, and got paid.