How Men Are Portrayed on Television

Dads on Sitcoms

In older television shows, the Dads are usually characterized as caring and more sensitive. They play more of a role in the children’s lives than on the shows that are on television today. For example, Ozzie Nelson from the Ozzie and Harriet show, which became popular in the 1950’s, was the typical “Good Dad” of that time. Ozzie was always willing to talk with the kids right along with Harriet. 

Another older show that I used to watch all the time is the Brady Bunch. The father on this show, Mike Brady, was an architect. This is one of the few older shows I’ve seen that depicts the dad actually going to work for the day, so he is not around all the time. Unlike the Cosby show, we know that Cliff is a Dr, but rarely see him going to work, as he is always at home with the children. However, when Mike Brady was home with the kids, he was always lovingly guiding them and trying to set a good example. For someone with six kids, I think he did a pretty good job, but Carol and Alice helped out immensely. 

Full House was a show in the 1980’s about a single father, Danny Tanner, raising three girls. Danny’s friends Joey and Jesse also lived with the family. Full House is like a more modernized version of the Brady Bunch, where everything is resolved with a hug. Danny was very sensitive and caring, and always put his daughters first.