The Brady kids go on dates, but they're about as innocent as can be. There is some talk of kissing. Mr. and Mrs. Brady are often shown cuddling in bed, and one will often make a mild entendre: "Time to put your paper down, Mrs. Brady," Mike will say, signaling that it's time for sex. Younger kids probably won't notice, though.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
There's still some Brady merchandise out there: lunch boxes, bubble gum cards, and the like. Kids may want to buy these things if they enjoy this show.
Language
very little
"Gee" and "gosh," plus some sexist language like when the boys are mocked for acting "like a girl."
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.
Both the kids and parents on The Brady Bunch are always loyal to their family and try to do the right thing. Characters on the show make mistakes and learn from them, usually apologizing and atoning for their errors. The Brady Bunch also offers a positive image of blended families and step parents. Lessons such as "it's wrong to cheat" are clear and woven into the plot of episodes.
Positive Role Models
some
The kids squabble and get jealous of one another sometimes (Jan is particularly envious of Marcia), but it always works out thanks to Mom and Dad. Very little racial/ethnic diversity. Each of the characters on the show has a moral compass and tries to do the right thing.
Educational Value
very little
Though the program is not implicitly educational, kids will be exposed to messages about cooperating, getting along, and listening to authority figures, in this case, the Brady parents. We also frequently see the Brady kids at school, dealing with peers, teachers, and their studies.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although The Brady Bunch is one of TV's most iconic shows, modern kids may find it slow-moving or a little dull. Teens and tweens in particular may find it a bit hokey, with its portraits of ultra-squeaky-clean kids who go to pom-pom girl auditions and hope to win essay contests. But viewers who don't mind the wholesome tone and slow pace will find much to like, in particular the sweetness of the Brady family bonds. There's little to worry parents on The Brady Bunch; even the teen Bradys don't drink, smoke, swear, sneak off to have sex, or sass their parents. Modern viewers will, however, notice some vintage sexism: the Brady boys often tease each other for acting "like a girl." The racial politics of the 1970s are also on display, with characters of color popping up only infrequently, like at a party, where they seem like tokens and not really characters at all.
We are pretty guarded on the media exposed to our kids. I bought them the Brady Bunch Box Set and absolutely love it. They mimic it, laugh out loud, see the values being portrayed. They know it was from a "long time ago", but that doesn't bother them. The worst part of the series would be the name calling - but even that is tame by today's standards. Not even a negative imo.
I feel very comfortable letting them watch this series. Plus I remember every episode from when I was a kid!!
Great show a lot cleaner than today's TV. They do tease people about acting like a girl. There are also a few references to sex, but they'll probably go over their heads. A character does say the word sex, when he says, I think your mom has a problem with discussing sex. Also "the birds and the bees" are mentioned. There is a beach episode where there are women in skimpy bikinis. One time Greg comes up to a girl sitting on the beach and puts sunscreen on her bare shoulders. A lot of sibling rivalry. But it is still a great show and is a classic. All of the characters have a moral compass and usually try do to what's right.
What's the Story?
In the iconic '70s sitcom THE BRADY BUNCH, a blended family tackles all sorts of life challenges together. When widowed architect Mike Brady (Robert Reed) met Carol (Florence Henderson), he knew immediately that she and her three girls -- Marcia (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb), and Cindy (Susan Olsen) -- were a perfect fit for him and his three sons, Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland). Also along for the ride is chipper housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis). Early in the series, the Bradys learn to deal with their new living arrangements, with the boys and girls fighting over bathroom time and chores. In later seasons (the show ran for five years, from 1969 to 1974), the kids deal with personal issues revolving around dating, cliques, and identity.
Adults will no doubt watch The Brady Bunch with nostalgic fondness, remembering when they first watched the Bradys build a card house, go to Hawaii, or camp in the Grand Canyon. Parents eager for some quality TV may have fun revisiting their favorite episodes with younger viewers, but kids past the tween stage may not see the appeal quite as much.
However, this show is still winningly sweet and may even be refreshing for viewers fed up with the motor-mouthed, sardonic kids on today's television shows. Even though the Brady kids sometimes argue, they're always down for each other in the clinch. They're supportive when things are going right, too: A Brady kid who wins an honor will be treated to backslaps and cheering from his or her sibs. And Mom and Dad are always there to help out when things go wrong, never distracted by email or Facebook. Each show tries to impart a lesson: cheating is bad, you shouldn't accuse someone of a misdeed if you don't know what really happened. The Brady values are timeless, even if some of the hairstyles and outfits have aged badly.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what (and who) should define a family. Parents and stepparents can also discuss the challenges of combining two families. How can new family members find ways to relate to one another? Why is it sometimes hard for kids to accept a stepparent? Do you think the Bradys' family harmony is realistic?
Is the Brady family wealthy or poor? What makes you think that? What kinds of things do the Brady kids have that a poor person wouldn't? What kinds of things do you have that the Brady kids don't?
The Brady Bunch is set in a time before the Internet or do-it-all phones and the family entertains itself in different ways than most modern families. What kinds of things do the Bradys do that your family doesn't? Would you like to try activities like putting on plays in the backyard?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
