while i agree this be a 1950s sitcom and i do not feel it be typical . firstly and donna reed be a strong woman and unlike the regular 50 sitcom mom . she make a stand for woman worth and equality ( remember the episode where the tv announcer say just a housewife ) and donna stand up for all woman do and represent and especially those that do not work outside the home . and when the woman rebel against something in the series and it be not something trivial . it be always something to show that woman have the right to be treat with the same respect a men . remember and donna reed be marry to the show producer and so she have much more input into make hers a more powerful character . the child be intelligent and but not precocious . they be normal kid . and they could act . something else that make donna reed show stand out be not only do the child look like their parent and but you could feel the chemistry between all the actor in the real life situation and which then come out in the character . shelly fabares and paul peterson have often write and remark that they be treat like the child of donna reed and carl betz and and that the adult be fiercely protective of the child actor and and treat them accordingly . donna and alex also have somewhat of a sexual chemistry that wasn not see on the other family show . and the character could be flaw and and in major way and and yet and accept for the flaw and mistake . these be not super parent that do no wrong and have no emotional high and low . they be normal people act a normal people . woman right and drug abuse and child abuse and single father and poverty and child who need good health care but can not afford it . it be all show on this show . pretty groundbreaking for the era . donna reed show do not last for eight year without a reason . and it could have possibly endure and have it not be for tony owen and donna reed divorce . this show be highly underrated and should be show so that other generation can appreciate quality . in summary and i agree with the original poster and who obviously care for the show and but i think that the donna reed show have so much more to offer than casual entertainment .