Why Our Childhood Television Shows Are Still Meaningful

We all have our favorite childhood television shows, whether it starts with cartoons or are the shows that led us into our adolescence.  For me, most recently it has been Little House on the Prairie. I’ve been binging those episodes for days now and I started to ask myself why I am so drawn to this show.  I’ve seen it a million times, I know all the episodes, yet I’m intrigued still by every one of them.

We Align Them with our Childhood

I think that one of the reasons that we are drawn to these shows is that we align them with our childhood.  Whatever was going on with our lives at that time comes flooding back to us when we watch these shows. 

Oftentimes it’s the comforting memories of being taken care of and having few stresses in life. I remember many times watching Little House on the Prairie and my mom calling me for lunch.  Ahh… the years when someone made your meals for you and did all the clean-up..  The childhood years really are some of the least stressful for many of us.

The Quality of the Shows

Don’t get me wrong, I completely agree that there are many, many, quality shows out there now.  However, I think that they are of a different quality.  Today’s shows have technical aspects to them that just weren’t possible years ago but are present today and bring viewing shows to a whole new level.  There’s also so many new genres of televisions shows – much more of something for everyone now.

What I mean is that that shows of yesterday always seemed to have a morale to the story.  And this is so very ever-present in Little House on the Prairie. For example, in every single show, while talking about the family’s trek across America to find a place to settle and farm land, they had a moral built into the episode for the viewer.  Also true in shows like Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver, Brady Bunch, etc..   You don’t necessarily see that in shows today.  While some are still filled with lessons, there is much more of a focus on entertainment value, stunts, and cool graphics.   All these things are enjoyable and bring a unique quality.  However, it’s just not the same as some of the shows of yesterday.  

I thank goodness for all the streaming programs that bring to us the latest and greatest and also the oldies but goodies!

What Older Television Shows Still Catch Your Attention?

Do you have a favorite from your childhood?  What made it your favorite?  Do you still find yourself drawn to it, even as an adult?