Change in the Role of American Women Through Radio and Television

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the ways in which the radio, and later television both changed and mirrored American society and culture during the pivotal mid-twentieth century years. Especially as they both reflected and accelerated change in women’s lives and roles. The progress of women’s status in society and the advances of women after 1963 are defined and the how these changes were presented to the American public are explored. This paper looks specifically at the American television sitcom “Bewitched” (1964-1972) and compares the ways Samantha Stephen’s challenged her role as a suburban housewife at the same time as women’s roles in American society were beginning to rapidly evolve.