Working Mothers on TV

In "Home Improvement", Jill decided to go back to school in order to train for a career. She wanted to go back to work, but not in the same field she left years ago. She was planning for her future and waited until the boys were school age. I don't think she needed to work, but wanted to do something more than staying at home.

Then you had mothers who never married, got pregnant and continued to work. This was the situation with Murphy Brown. She was totally immersed in her career and having a family wasn't in her plans. Accidents happen! Her whole focus changed and she was able to maintain her busy lifestyle with the help of her house painter who eventually became the nanny. Having a male nanny was also the situation in "Who's the Boss".

The newer TV shows, started to portray a more realistic look at life. Everyday problems surfaced and they were closer to what we experience in real life. Subjects that were taboo in the early days were finally aired. There were issues addressed such as teenage peer pressure, relationships gone sour, infidelity, serious illnesses, dating woes, drug abuse, and unwanted pregnancy.

Although the characters were fictional, the pressures we saw facing working mothers were real. Even though these shows were comedies, there were serious moments . Ever notice we never saw them hauling the younger kids to daycare? I suppose older children or a family friend did the babysitting.

One thing that is still fantasy in "Television Land" is the ability for all problems to be solved in half an hour, unless it's "to be continued"!

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