Father Used to Know Better

Father used to be the Family Hero.

There once was a popular TV Show (1954-1960) named "Father Knows Best". That was a different time. No one got upset that the show was named “Father Knows Best”. Were Fathers different back in 1954-1960? I think not. The Good Ole USofA was different back in 1954-1960.

The show followed the lives of the Andersons, a middle-class family in the fictional town of Springfield. It centered on Jim Anderson, a wise and caring father played by Robert Young, and his common-sense wife Margaret Anderson, portrayed by Jane Wyatt.

(Fella to Fella, be careful about what you are about to peck out.)

You might remember Fella is The Noticer. For example, since 1960 the Father has literally taken the Proverbial Back Seat in many things. Recently there was a car commercial that proved my point. You probably saw the commercial, but you did not Notice what I Noticed…

• The commercial starts when a family of 7 arrives by plane at any airport.
• They rented a big SUV sized car.
• As the happy family drives away from the airport the Mother is the driver.
• One child is in the passenger seat.
• Three children are in the middle seats.
• In the Way Back Seat sits the Father and the smallest child.

In 1954 to 1960 the Father would have been the driver, but that was then, and this is now. Fathers don’t drive the family vehicle near as much now as they did back then.

Back then the Father would have proudly loaded up his happy family and drove them to their happy vacation. Now he cowers way back in the Way Back.

That’s progress…Or is it?

Would I kid u?

Smartfella

Lagniappe: It could have been worse. The commercial could have had this dialog:

• We should have brought Father.
• We did bring him.
• Where is he?
• He's in the Way Back way back in the back somewhere.