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'''"Leave It to Beaver"''' was a popular situation comedy on American television, 1957-63. The weekly program began on CBS on October 4, 1957; the next season it moved to ABC. Syndicated reruns continue late into the night in the 21st century.  The 234 half-hour episodes are available on DVD. [[File:Beaver2.jpg|thumb|220px]]

'''''Leave It to Beaver''''' was a popular situation comedy on American television, 1957-63. The weekly program began on CBS on October 4, 1957; the next season it moved to ABC. Syndicated reruns continue late into the night in the 21st century.  The 234 half-hour episodes are available on DVD. [[File:Beaver2.jpg|thumb|220px]]

It has become an icon of stable family life in a [[nuclear family]] (comprising only the parents and their children) and moral decision-making in a world of small human foibles and no great issues.

It has become an icon of stable family life in a [[nuclear family]] (comprising only the parents and their children) and moral decision-making in a world of small human foibles and no great issues.

June Cleaver, a typical housewife and mother, remained calm amid household tumult, providing crucial guidance to her sons while shielding them from nefarious outside influences with a matronly force of will. Her protection was frequently needed against the pernicious intrigues of Eddie Haskell. He engaged in impulsive, selfish, disruptive, and malevolent schemes, almost evil personified. For crafty Eddie, each day was one more step toward the twilight of the adults, which would herald his ascension to neighborhood ruler.  

June Cleaver, a typical housewife and mother, remained calm amid household tumult, providing crucial guidance to her sons while shielding them from nefarious outside influences with a matronly force of will. Her protection was frequently needed against the pernicious intrigues of Eddie Haskell. He engaged in impulsive, selfish, disruptive, and malevolent schemes, almost evil personified. For crafty Eddie, each day was one more step toward the twilight of the adults, which would herald his ascension to neighborhood ruler.  

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 abouyt 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