Female Domesticity in Television

The socially cultured role of women tending to domestic roles has been evident in television for decades. In shows such as Goodtimes or The Brady Bunch, which both aired in the 70's, the mothers were never seen participating in the workplace. Especially in Goodtimes, the mother named Florida Evans specialized in cooking and making sure that everything was in good shape at home. While the mothers took care of the kids and domestic responsibilities, the men were relied on to bring in the family income. When the husband returned home, it seemed to be the wife's responsibility to cheer him up and relax his mind after a long day at work. This reminds me of the Home Economics curriculum that was taught back in 50's to women. They were pictured as people whos lives depended on their husbands, and his happiness.

The impact of television back in this time period had a direct impact on my parents' generation. The roles of women within these shows was based upon what was expected in the generations of my grandparents and their parents. These television shows were a supportive enforcer upon expected gender roles along with what they personally saw their own mothers and fathers doing.

It took television shows such as The Cosby Show and mothers such as Clair Huxtable to motivate women to get jobs such as being an attorney. Her role within society was not to simply be domestic like shows in the previous decade, but to bring in family income along with her husband. She exemplified the capabilities of women, and that they should strive beyond the domestic role in life.

Personally, I am glad that shows such as The Cosby Show, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-air came along to show that mothers could be great mothers along with having careers such as attorney, or college professor. These shows were motivating to women, and were an influence on the common American women of today who strives beyond the domestic role.

TV Show From the 70's



TV Show from the 80's