User Reviews

The tension between feminism and (perceived) male privilege couldn't be clearer than in this episode. Schneider sees Alex doing household chores and avoiding football because Ann Romano, his guardian, feels he's too thin, and could be hurt by the 'big guys', and he (Schneider) expresses serious concerns about Alex's lack of male influence. The previous assumption - "from time immemorial", as Schneider puts it - that boys must learn how to be men from other men is presented in stark contrast with the beginnings of the feminist idea that traditional male roles are not always the best models for male development. The writers present the two positions, then avoid answering the question or resolving the issues by using a female mud-wrestling match at Schneider's lodge as Schneider's way of offering a male influence - not the most sensible of possible role modeling activities. In short, the episode presents serious questions of the time (early 1980s), and ends with absurdity, likely to keep the show within the 1/2 hour time slot alotted. (Such is the curse of sitcoms.)

We've all known women like this one here. She has the difficult task of raising a young man without a father. The maintenance man Schneider thinks the boy could use some guidance from a reasonably normal guy like himself. He ends up getting the mom pretty ticked-off over his idea of male social activities.

The parts played are believable,we've all seen something like this play-out in real life. There are just some things that the opposite sexes cannot understand the same way. This is just life and it was simply accepted,and it didn't used to be such a major and bitter point of conflict between men and women.

Strong families,and both male and female sources of guidance are very important for young boys,young girls,young men and young women all !

Solid societies are based on solid families that have purpose and direction. If you want to see the bad effect of no fathers just look at Chicago.