1970's

The 1970's was the era of counter culture and the clash of the old and the new became a source of television plot. It can be most apparently seen in shows like All in the Family where Archie Bunker reflects the old idea of manhood and society facing off against his son-in-law Mike Stivic who represents counterculture of the era. While there are changes in the role of women as feminism was going strong gender roles were still similar to previous eras. The changes to the families them selves in television can be seen as it was no longer two parents and their children but a mix of two families or single mothers striking out on their own. It can be seen in The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, and Maude. Issues of divorce were becoming more acceptable but still carefully dealt with. In Maude divorce played a prominent role for both the main character and her daughter. Families while starting to change gender roles themselves only changed slightly. While there were steps forward, women were still often confined to the home as homemakers.