A Woman's Place
It's interesting to compare Mad Men, set in the early 1960s, with movies and TV shows created during that time.
For instance, in this week's episode, "A Night To Remember," Joan Holloway, office manager at the advertising firm, helped out the one-man TV department by reading scripts to see how well commercials would fit in. She did a great job, and seemed energized by it. As soon as the firm realized script reader was a useful position, money was established for the position, and Harry hired some guy, thanking Joan for her help and sending her on her way.
This may seem like cavalier treatment, but it's believable. In fact, I was reminded of an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show, the best and most sophisticated sitcom of the early 60s. It's called "My Part-Time Wife." Laura helps Rob out at the office. Rob gets worried because she does such a great job he's afraid she'll start enjoying it and not be a homemaker. She cries, telling him how hard it's been and how much she's sacrificed and how he didn't appreciate it. So the resolution of the show has her going happily back home. That a wife might desire working outside the home, or that a job could mean that much to her, isn't seriously considered.
posted by LAGuy @ 12:20 AM
2 Comments:
This was also the plot of a Bob Newhart Show episode when Emily came in to fill in for Carol at Bob's office. Eventually Bob had to fire her, but she was greatful because she didn't like the job. But this was the 70s (I believe), and Emily did have a job - as an elementary school teacher.
The show started in 1972 and lasted six seasons. Emily eventually became a principal ("Old Lady Hartley"). They were a childless couple, so they didn't have to deal with that issue.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which debuted in 1970 and lasted seven seasons, was about a working woman in her 30s. She dates guys regularly but never finds the right one. In fact, the pilot is about her dumping her doctor boyfriend. You can tell the times have changed since her situation is not treated as a tragedy. (Early episodes have her talking more about wanting to be a wife and mother.)
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