What is a 1950's 0r 1960's television mother, and what was her most unrealistic characteristic?

Answer 1

Harriet's Nelson's pearls and heels in the kitchen while she prepared dinner for her family. Same for June Cleaver in "Leave it to Beaver."

Answer 2

I guess I was obsessed. Before I did anything, I got dressed (in a dress or skirt), fixed my hair and put on lipstick. I didn't wear heels to work in the house, but my shoes had to have at least a 2 inch heel. I had worn high heels since age 18 and could walk better in them than flats. I didn't own a pair of blue jeans (still don't, but I do wear slacks most of the time now).

I was raised by my grandparents, and my grandmother always wore dresses, a string of pearls and bib aprons. So I wasn't too surprised to see those "tv mothers" dressed that way.

Answer 3

She looked and acted perfect, and made sure her husband and kids were the same. She cooked wholesome meals and cleaned all day in a dress, pearls and heels. She never aspired to be anything beyond a wife and mother and was utterly fulfilled by this. She would not dare have anything beyond a cocktail or even remotely consider intimate relations. The highlight of her week was shopping and her greatest achievement was getting a PTA ribbon for her cupcakes.

What was unrealistic? All of the above! Many women in the 1950's were Barbie Queens on tranquilizers! They worked and found independence during WWII, then when the men returned they were told to get back to the kitchen, bake brownies, and prune geraniums all day! If you were somehow "unfulfilled" by this mundane life, you were made to feel inadequate and ashamed and you were blamed for your husband's affairs and your children's delinquency!

Answer 4

The TV moms of the 50's and 60's had a lot of quality's not found in todays moms, on and off TV, however you are correct, some of what was shown was real unrealistic. Probably the most unrealistic part was the TV moms were always dolled up like they were going to a dinner or a dance, but they were cleaning the house...wearing Hi-heels, Dresses, all sorts of make up, eye liner, hahahaha, thanks for reminding me how funny it was and still is.

Answer 5

A lot of you mentioned how the TV moms did housework in heels, pearls, etc. as unrealistic, but my mother got up early and before anyone could see her, she put on makeup, did her hair, put on a nice dress, stockings, jewelry, and high heels! She cooked, cleaned, and took care of children like that. The house was immaculate, every meal was an occasion, we kids were excellent students, we never missed church. Oh, and my mother was clinically depressed my entire childhood. Go figure...

Answer 6

Same as now, the ever prsent manicured, been to the beauty shop look, and the "going out in style" little house dresses. Together with being always a calm settling force in the family. (i.e. The Nelson's, The Life of Reilly, Leave it to Beaver, Father knows best etc)

Answer 7

She was perfect, never lost her temper, always understanding, and the most unrealistic characteristic was always being beautiful. Cleaned house in high heels, a dress, and wearing pearls. I think Donna Reed was the first to wear pants and look frazzled at times.

Answer 8

June Cleaver.....She was always dressed up & wore her pearls. You never ever saw her run the sweeper or do the dusting, etc, like Olivia Walton, ( The Walton's) Margaret Anderson (Father Knows Best) & Donna Stone (Donna Reed Show) did. They were more down to earth as tv moms.

Answer 9

Rickie Nelson's mother. Always wearing a skirt with an apron, well, maybe not always an apron.
I can remember mothers in the fifties that wore bandannas wrapped around their heads, shirts, pants, work shoes, because sometimes they went into fields, and warehouses to work. Even around the house, there was plenty of hard work to do, and a skirt would have been quite unhandy.

Answer 10

1950's-60's, She was perfect in every way, and pretty too. Always vacuumed in high heels and a dress.

I always wanted to be like Mrs. Walton (John boy Walton's Mom) I never could hold a candle to that bundle of goodness.

Answer 11

It had to be Mrs. Cleaver, the Beaver's mother. She always had on a nice dress and heels and her hair fixed. She was always so calm and soft-spoken. She was nothing like a real life mother.