Changes

The father Ward Cleaver was a Solomon-like figure of quiet dignity who dispensed parental justice tempered with understanding. Perceptive viewers knew his furrowed brow and clenched jaw were hints of serious inner turmoil, reminiscent of the anger toward society and unfulfilled economic dreams that tormented Willie Loman in ''Death of a Salesman,'' the classic 1949 play about dysfunctional families.

The father Ward Cleaver was a Solomon-like figure of quiet dignity who dispensed parental justice tempered with understanding. Perceptive viewers knew his furrowed brow and clenched jaw were hints of serious inner turmoil, reminiscent of the anger toward society and unfulfilled economic dreams that tormented Willie Loman in ''Death of a Salesman,'' the classic 1949 play about dysfunctional families.

A comparison of how children interact with their brothers and sisters on such 1950's situation comedy television programs as 'Leave It To Beaver' and 'Father Knows Best' with those on such 1980s programs as 'The Cosby Show' and 'Family Ties' found  that children interacted more positively in the early period but were important and central - if more conflictual - to the main story action in the 1980s.<ref> Mary Strom Larson, "Sibling Interactions in 1950s Versus 1980s Sitcoms: A Comparison," ''Journalism Quarterly'' 1991 68(3): 381-387  

A comparison of how children interact with their brothers and sisters on such 1950's situation comedy television programs as ''Leave It To Beaver'' and ''Father Knows Best'' with those on such 1980s programs as ''The Cosby Show'' and ''Family Ties'' found  that children interacted more positively in the early period but were important and central - if more conflictual - to the main story action in the 1980s.<ref> Mary Strom Larson, "Sibling Interactions in 1950s Versus 1980s Sitcoms: A Comparison," ''Journalism Quarterly'' 1991 68(3): 381-387  

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