In early 2020, my sister, Rachel, and I launched a podcast to explore what it means to belong to Generation X. Born between 1964 and 1980, we’ve developed a unique perspective that blends cynicism and rebellion with an acceptance of the traditional values and gender roles we grew up with. As we navigate our forties and approach middle age, our conversations have turned towards the roots of these beliefs, and it quickly became clear that our extensive television consumption during childhood played a significant role.
Thus, “Gen X: This is Why” was born. Our podcast features discussions on popular shows and movies from the ’70s and ’80s, followed by reflections on how these media shaped our subconscious. We knew right away that our inaugural episode would focus on our all-time favorite, Little House on the Prairie.
Now, 100 episodes in, I’ve gained profound insights. I’ve had to reassess my views on marriage, gender roles, and community dynamics. For instance, I realized our tendency to catastrophize may have been influenced by the endless misfortunes faced by the Ingalls family whenever Charles was away. This recurring theme of Charles coming to the rescue—saving Caroline, Laura, and everyone else—was eye-opening. I was surprised to see how deeply I had internalized these narratives.
As a self-identified feminist, I grapple with this contradiction: why do I find Michael Landon’s portrayal of Charles Ingalls so appealing? Each time he smiles and shakes his curly hair, I am momentarily whisked back to an image of a 1950s housewife, filled with warmth and admiration for his character as he protects his family.
In my mind, Caroline, or “Ma,” embodies the essence of motherhood. She cared for her children, and her joyous embraces of Charles upon his return from trips are vivid memories from my childhood. However, upon revisiting the series, I recognized Caroline’s true strength. She often held the family together during crises, like when she single-handedly saved their livestock from a fire. Yet, it’s telling that many Gen Xers remember her most for the times when Charles wasn’t there, which were usually fraught with peril.
Reflecting on my childhood perspective, I wonder what messages I absorbed from watching Charles as the archetypal hero. Fast forward to present day: my daughter came home from a high school football game in tears after a boy pushed her. My immediate reaction was to question where her boyfriend was during the incident, expecting him to protect her. Eventually, I recognized that he had acted responsibly by seeking help instead of escalating the situation. This moment made me realize the ingrained belief that a man should always come to the rescue, rather than empowering my daughter to stand up for herself.
I acknowledge that I have much to learn. The process of deprogramming these societal norms is ongoing, but acknowledging that they exist is the first step. I’ve been drawn to toxic masculinity for most of my life, and while Little House on the Prairie is just one influence, it reinforced these ideas for an entire generation.
Now, as I watch episodes, I consciously challenge the allure of Charles’s charm while also scrutinizing the underlying messages: attend church, respect your parents, abstain from alcohol, and avoid debt. Though based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s novels, much of this messaging was infused into the show by executive producers like Michael Landon, reflecting a conservative pushback against the counterculture of the ’60s. This leads me to question: can I embrace feminism while still being captivated by the hypermasculinity of Charles Ingalls? I suppose I will continue to watch and explore this question.
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Summary
In this piece, I reflect on the complexities of being a feminist while feeling drawn to the hypermasculine character of Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Through revisiting the show in the context of my own experiences as a mother and a member of Generation X, I explore how media influences perceptions of gender roles, heroism, and family dynamics. This ongoing journey of self-discovery prompts me to question societal norms and the narratives we internalize.