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One family therapist explained the show's success saying, "There's a domineering mother and a feeble father, something that's common to many families."

But some say the 50s had already turned down that road. Harriet may not have been domineering like Osbourne's wife, but Ozzie Nelson was already pretty bland, detached and feeble. Maybe TV itself dethrowned the father and helped to create a void that domineering mothers could step into. But for better or worse, Ozzie Nelson, Ward Cleaver and the other TV dads of the 50s were far from older models of male or paternal dominance.

"There's a domineering mother and a feeble father, something that's common to many families."

That sounds like an old friend of mine growing up.His Dad was lame from a Korean War wound [and having his wife back the car over him].His mother was mean as a snake and kept him[the Dad] in the basement.One time having an argument she shoved a hot punkin pie in his face and shoved him down the stairs of the basement.There was never a dull moment in that household.

But some say the 50s had already turned down that road. Harriet may not have been domineering like Osbourne's wife, but Ozzie Nelson was already pretty bland, detached and feeble. Maybe TV itself dethrowned the father and helped to create a void that domineering mothers could step into. But for better or worse, Ozzie Nelson, Ward Cleaver and the other TV dads of the 50s were far from older models of male or paternal dominance.

What I don't understand is why people insist on defining an entire decade by it's lamer sit-coms. If the 1950's was the "Leave it to Beaver" and "Ozzie and Harriet" decade, then the 1980's was the "Family Matters" and "Full House" decade. I guess the 90's was the "Step by Step" and "Boy meets World" decade. Please! How come no one ever refers to the 50's as the "Honeymooners" decade? Or the "I Love Lucy" decade? Could it be because those shows actually had some bite to them and don't fit a pre-conceived stereotype about an entire decade?