The Rifleman and Bonanza, two examples of the importance of a caring father. Both widowers. Both taught their boys right from wrong. Even as the Cartwright boys got older, they still listened to Ben.
You are right, lysie, those shows were like short morality plays.
Growing up in a dysfunctional home with alcoholic parents, those TV shows, and others like Ozzie and Harriet and Leave it to Beaver, in the late 50s and early 60s helped me to see what some semblance of normal families was all about.
The entertainment industry sure won’t be putting out shows today with strong good father figures.
I really hate how men are portrayed to be bumbling fools.
Or I suppose they still are as I stopped watching most recent TV.