“The Wonder Years” television show took place during the 1960’s and 1970’s, which coincided with the rise of second-wave feminism. Told from the perspective of Kevin (Fred Savage), the youngest of the Arnold family, the show follows the events of Kevin and his suburban family in coming-of-age style. Karen Arnold (Olivia d’Abo), Kevin’s older sister, is an underrepresented character and I've noticed that in episodes that she appears, we truly see a discussion between the characters of the changing atmosphere of American society that is the backdrop to the show. Her decisions and outspoken beliefs come across in contrast to those of her conservative parents'. Because the series is from the perspective of a kid, we as the audience may lose sight of that, because the protagonist, Karen's younger brother, doesn't always understand what's happening. Karen may be considered a second-wave feminist as she fervently supports women’s independence, rejects patriarchal institutions, and refuses to fit any mold resembling the “cult of domesticity.”
Note: This article contains spoilers for those who haven't yet seen this family dramedy.
1. Insinuations that women are to be more than housewives.
Karen once said, “...the United States government is responsible for the oppression of blacks, women, free speech.” In the episode “Angel,” when Karen’s boyfriend, Louis (John Corbett), comes over for dinner with the family, he asks Karen’s mother, Norma, if she finds being a housewife fulfilling. She responds she’d never thought about that before, and Karen says, “Maybe, you should, Mom.” In the 60’s, the women’s liberation movement promoted the idea that women do not solely belong in the home. Rejecting the “cult of domesticity,” activists believed that women should have the right to equal pay and opportunity as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) called for.
2. Expressing an independence and desire to break out of any stereotypical preconceived role of womanhood.
Karen runs away to San Francisco, in the episode “Brightwing,” presumably to escape from school and her parents, whom she claimed “never listened.” Though the reason she ran away is actually never mentioned, several women’s liberation meetings took place in San Francisco in 1969. Perhaps Karen and her friends were planning to attend. Consciousness-raising groups were establishing across the country, including in San Francisco and other major cities. These meetings allowed women to discuss experiences from their own lives in an effort to understand the current roles of women in society; topics discussed could have been relationships, the meaning of “femininity” or children.
If Karen had participated in women’s liberation meetings or consciousness-raising sessions, it would have contributed to the development of her radical views and beliefs. As seen in “Angel,” the people she met also contributed to how she viewed herself and the role of women in society.
3. Insisting that marriage is a constricting, patriarchal institution.
The episode “Stormy Weather,” saw Karen’s live-in boyfriend Michael (David Schwimmer), ask Karen to marry him, though Karen overtly rejects marriage and refuses to settle down into a domestic housewife role. After her boyfriend asks her to marry him, Karen says, “Marriage is an antiquated, male-centered institution and I don’t believe in it. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life making meatloaf and mashed potatoes.” In the 60’s, the charter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) stated: “We do not accept the traditional assumption that a woman has to choose between marriage and motherhood, on the one hand, and serious participation in industry or the professions on the other.” Liberal feminists equated marriage to being trapped and limited in their freedom to dictate their own lives.
However, though Karen’s mother Norma is a stay-at-home mom, it does not mean that she does not find pleasure in her lifestyle and responsibilities. The idea that married women are limited in their abilities and will to find pleasure in life is also arguably challenged in “The Wonder Years.”
4. In a relationship, both partners are equal.
After his initial proposal, Michael tells Karen, “I don’t care about getting married or being married. I just want us to be together,” to which, she replies, “What took you so long?” showing that they had to redefine their understanding of marriage to make it work for their relationship and what they each wanted. In the episode, “The Wedding,” when a priest says, “Always pleased to bring together a man and wife,” Karen says, “You mean ‘man and woman.’” Karen eventually asks her boyfriend Michael to marry her and the couple insists on having a non-traditional ceremony.
The charter of NOW also stated: “We believe that a true partnership between the sexes demands a different concept of marriage, an equitable sharing of the responsibilities of home and children and of the economic burdens of their support.” Second-wave feminists did not necessarily believe that marriage was the worst scenario, but that women should be able to have marriage, a career and a family all at once, if they so chose.
