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Dear Editor:

Sometimes I watch old TV shows like Leave it to Beaver. What I can't understand is if June Cleaver is wearing a dress and heels to clean house, how does this depict the REAL 50's? Were people like Ward and June Cleaver or were they just pretend?

Virginia

Dear Virginia:

Ward and June Cleaver did exist. They were the embodiment of all of the traditional American families whose mothers stayed at home and actually dressed up to do housework. My own mother vacuumed, washed dishes, and made beds in full attire. When cooking she wore an apron.

Just as Ward Cleaver came home every evening, sober and wearing a suit, so did my Dad. Men in that era defined themselves in their ability to solve the family's problems. they were men who had just returned from World War II and were ready to hunker in and earn a living for their children known as Baby Boomers. Back then, a man could buy a house, two cars, and take a full two week vacation on one salary. Houses cost about $12,000. & a car about $2500.....The furniture was real wood....the clothes cotton and wool.

So you can believe, Virginia, in the 50's and all the people who made raising a family their career.

Thanks Mom & Dad for being the June & Ward Cleavers in my life.