Dana, that is a fascinating discussion. Well done.
Being a young teen in the later 40's and early 50's when tv was new,
in b/w and only on for a few hours each evening, I grew up following
down the path cleared by the now-called "greatest generation... the WWII vets.
While there are so many government programs created to their benefit, we take them now for granted.
But for me they created a sense of resentment at some of the social norms.
I agree with so many of the images and examples you give above.
For example, in the 9th grade, I was the only boy/male in the "Typing 1" class.
I was there instead being in "Metal Shop 1", as were my friends.
When it came to tv... I resented, and still do, the "dumb daddy" programs
that were the alternative comic themes to the "I Love Lucy" gendre.
I can't write about all that in the way you have above.
So sometime I would really like to see you take on a discussion
of your views of the male stereotypes during that same time period.
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