Conclusion

As a pedagogical instrument, Leave It To Beaver contained numerous messaged for the viewing audience. This paper has analyzed the program in four specific areas of recurring themes, moral messages, parenting techniques and problem resolution. A brief summary of the findings in each category is provided below.

Recurring themes dealt with parental expectations for children in terms of education, marriage, occupation and family. These themes spelled out the necessary stages required to achieve proper middle-class status. Children were expected to attend college to obtain a degree, which would enable them to secure employment in a satisfying occupation. Attendance as college also provided the opportunity to find a suitable mate, which would then allow the couple to start a family of their own.

The moral messages were concerned with parents teaching children proper behaviour. The six important moral messages were: obey/trust your parents, tell the truth, develop self-esteem, have pride in your family, help (or don't hurt) others, and accept responsibility for your actions. By instilling this combination of morals into the characters of youngsters, the program suggested children would be well equipped to venture into the world and contribute in a positive manner.

Parenting techniques pertained to teaching parents how to teach children. There were four parental messages contained in the program. The first recommended that mothers and fathers provide support, understanding, trust and protection for their children. The next advocated parents assume accountability to teach their children proper social and familial responsibility. The third reminded parents it was permissible to make mistakes as they were only human and subject to the influence of their own upbringing. The final message advised parents to avoid excessive interference, and to keep their expectations for their children in line with their abilities. These techniques closely paralleled the advice offered by Dr. Benjamin Spock, thus lending a quasi-official approval to the suggestions proposed by the program.

Problem resolution examined the issue of establishing and maintaining a satisfactory inter-personal relationship through consensus in marriage. This examination revealed that the majority of problems associated with child-rearing can be resolved without major differences of opinion. For the relationship to be successful, both partners need to be in agreement on the overall issues as they relate to problem resolution. The program suggested the success of the marriage required each partner to have a mutual respect for the opinions and feeling of the other.

As an educational vehicle, Leave It To Beaver strongly promoted the importance of family. This is evidenced by the content of the numerous messages relayed to the viewing audience in each episode. The recurring themes expounded parental expectations for children, while the moral messages revealed the importance of teaching children proper behavior. Teaching parents how to teach children was incorporated by promoting proper parenting techniques, and by suggesting methods for resolving problems and finding consensus in inter-personal relationships. To exemplify this idea, Ward and June were used as role models to emulate in order to achieve a successful married relationship. Each of these messages were designed to display an effective method to prepare youngsters for the inevitability of starting a life and family of their own.

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