The Evolution of the American TV Mom

Among all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the TV has become a normal fixture in today's homes. . The TV mom has always been a part of this revolution, but through many years of exposure the now mild programs of yesteryear have faded with the over exposure of sex, drugs, and violence.

In the late 1960's, Carol married Mike in their second marriage both bringing three children of their own. "The Brady Bunch" was a hit. At the time the divorce rate was less than 50% and the majority of people watching could not fathom the thought of a mixed family.

Carol took on the roll of mother to Mike's boys and never treated them differently than her own three girls. She was a loving devoted wife and mother, always ready to assist in the families' cumbersome issues. She was excellent in diffusing arguments, organizing schedules, and giving a gentle leaning shoulder to everyone in the house.

Today, the divorce rate has sky rocketed and seems a normal part of everyday living. I have experience the Brady Bunch life style. I know without doubt that it is not easy. The sibyl rivalry between mixed families is extremely hard. The siblings having both parents still living is an even bigger trying adventure that takes a lot of my time. I confront the challenge every day with understanding and compassion, just as Carol did.

In the early 1970's, Peggy and Al came into our lives in the TV show "Married with Children", showing us the flip side to the structured family life. Peggy was a big haired self centered woman that spent every dime of her hard working husband's money on making herself look better as she sat on the sofa and watched TV and ate bonbons. Peggy seemed to attract men in groves due to her taking such good care of herself and her eagerness to always be ready for excitement in the bedroom.

Peggy being a vast contrast to Carol, it shows the rapidly changing society that we live in. Within the short 10 year period, we went to the devoted wife to the wife who married on a dare. Carol was the perfect positive role model as where Peggy lacked in most areas. This is a prime example to society's acceptance to change in an every changing world. If Peggy was to come on air in the 1950's she would have never been accepted as a wife.

In the 1980's, Roseanne and Dan hit the scene in "Roseanne", showing the depiction of an American family with two working parents struggling to meet economic needs. Roseanne was the first show to give the woman a dominating role in the American families. Roseanne was a strong willed over weight woman that stood her ground to her counterpart, Dan. Roseanne used wit and comedy to win the hearts of thousands. Roseanne encumbered many difficult issues like, homosexuality, abuse, and teenage pregnancy, which many shows would not touch in the time.

I can relate to Roseanne on the wit and control of the family. I have been a single mother for so long that the thought of not having that control, now with a counterpart, is not a reality to me. I try very hard to allow my children to come to me with questions and sometimes find myself laughing uncontrollably. Kids do say the oddest things. I can either laugh or cry. I might as well make the best of it.

In the 1990's, Jill and Tim became famous in the TV show, "Home Improvement", showing the world how the common housewife can become college educated even with a family "in tow". Jill went from the stay at home soccer mom to the philosophical mom. Even though she had a degree in psychology, Jill was well know for her bad advise with every bit of good intentions. Jill was also known for her lack of ability to create good cuisine. Her family gave her grief over her burnt not so desirable dishes.

I totally understand Jill's good heartiness with lack of ability in cooking. It seems every time I try to prepare a wonderful hearty meal for my family I burn it. I can spend hours preparing; dirtying every dish in the house and by the time the main dish comes out of the oven it is burnt to the point of not being eatable. Even though my intentions are great, the meal is not so much. Being college educated and knowing how to cook are two different things that do not go hand in hand.

In the 2000's, Reba was brought to us in the TV show, "Reba", depicting the struggles of being a single mother of three. Reba faced teenage pregnancy and having to deal with the ex-husband and his young new bride. Reba was famous for her sarcastic remarks and her temperamental revenge, but was usually always the sensible one to fix everyone's problems. Reba's motto and song to the sitcom was, "I am a Survivor".

I relate most to Reba because we are both single mothers with the father still being present in our children's lives. We both sarcastically respond to stupidity. I have recognized that most issues brought upon my family is handled and resolved by my ability to sensibly manage the situation, and I have the fortitude to never give up, making me also a survivor.

Within this 40 year span, the wife's role in the home went from a devoted stay at home mom to independent self supporting wife and mother. The wife's role in the American family has dramatically changed over the last 40 years and is well documented in the reflections of the TV mom.