Modern Day "June Cleaver" reference

Gidget1225 · Jul 21, 2017

Here's the scoop:

MC gets hitched to a conservative Christian man to live the "stay-at-home to cook and clean and to be the obedient wife and perfect mom" kind of life. I have her referring to her role as that of "June Cleaver," but she's barely 30.

Does the "June Cleaver" metaphor still resonate with the 20-30 age-group or is there a more recent equivalent that I should reference?

I suspect that the general consensus might be: "Thank God, NO!" You'll have to stick with June Cleaver!" Of course, I don't want to make that assumption if there's a more relevant personality.

Merci!

Marlys · Jul 21, 2017

Maybe Stepford Wife? Somewhat more recent, especially since there was a remake not that long ago.

cmhbob · Jul 21, 2017

The Duggar family is who first came to mind here. So Michelle Duggar? Or "something out of one of those Christian romances."

You might turn it around and use a male reference: "The kind of wife that would make Pat Robertson happy."

noirdood · Jul 21, 2017

All of these people mentioned are pretty obscure, in my opinion. However, I don't know what TeeVee re-runs your target audience watches.

Fruitbat · Jul 21, 2017

I think any of the terms mentioned would be okay. Your meaning would likely be clear from the context, and it's certainly okay for people to learn something new anyway. Another possible term is "fifties housewife."

Clairels · Jul 21, 2017

Betty Draper from Mad Men, in the first season, at least.

Hopefully WLCT · Jul 21, 2017

I have 3 daughters, age's 21,25 and 27. When I asked them about June Cleaver they said in harmony,"who?" Stepford Wife was the result when I asked for a similiar character.

amergina · Jul 21, 2017

I'd go with "fifties housewife," because I think more folks will understand the reference.

neandermagnon · Jul 21, 2017

I'm in my 40s and don't get the reference. Just googled it - it's from an American sitcom so that's why I've never heard of her. I have heard of Stepford Wives though. And I'd get "1950s housewife".

BethS · Jul 21, 2017

Another vote for "fifties housewife."

And also, please beware of perpetuating a negative stereotype about Christians and Christian wives.

frimble3 · Jul 21, 2017

I like '50's housewife' because it's a reasonably widely known image, from ads and TV shows, as well as satire. And on that note, at some point she may notice that her vision of her life is from another era, entirely, as well as a specific socio-economic class.
Maybe combine the two, if you want to keep the 'June Cleaver' reference? 'I was finally living the life I dreamed of, the life of a '50s housewife, a real June Cleaver.'

Chris P · Jul 21, 2017

I'd go with "50s housewife" or "soccer mom." However, to me a soccer mom has a connotation of a working mother who runs herself ragged with family and kids' activities every minute she's not at work rarher than a June Cleaver stay at home type. Junes don't really exist anymore the way they used to, so a more relatable image might be better.

Flambeau · Jul 21, 2017

frimble3 said:
Maybe combine the two, if you want to keep the 'June Cleaver' reference? 'I was finally living the life I dreamed of, the life of a '50s housewife, a real June Cleaver.'

I second this. I'm 25 and I get the June Cleaver reference, but I might be unusual for my age group because I'm familiar with a lot of classic TV. I think the reference adds a bit of pizzazz though rather than just saying "fifties housewife", which strikes me as too generic.

Gidget1225 · Jul 21, 2017

BethS said:
And also, please beware of perpetuating a negative stereotype about Christians and Christian wives.

Actually, my MC loves her "June Cleaver" role. Strong, capable, and resilient (and married to a man who truly loves her) she is far from a one-dimensional character. I do appreciate the concern, though. Thank you.

Modern Day "June Cleaver" reference

Gidget1225

Marlys

Resist. Love. Go outside.

cmhbob

Did...did I do that?

noirdood

Fruitbat

.

Clairels

Born at sea

Hopefully WLCT

amergina

Pittsburgh Strong

neandermagnon

Nolite timere, consilium callidum habeo!

BethS

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Flambeau

Gidget1225