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The role of the TV mom has been evolving over the decades, reflecting not only network television standards, but also women's ever-changing position in the family, the workplace and society as a whole.

In the 1950s, television families reflected the post-war optimism and ideals of what was expected of American life in the suburbs. Popular television shows of the decade, "Leave it to Beaver" (1957-1963), "Ozzie and Harriet" (1952-1966), and "Father Knows Best", portrayed moms whose lives revolved around the home; June Cleaver, Harriet Nelson, and Margaret Anderson dressed impeccably in heels and pearls while tending to their house, children, and hard-working husband. These mild-mannered women never seemed to yearn for a career outside of their suburban homes or display any skills beyond the kitchen.

The 1960s ushered in the civil rights movement and an awakening to women's rights, such as equal pay in the workplace, and childcare outside the home. TV moms began to portray talents beyond baking, career aspirations, and even held down a job while raising their children. Samantha on "Bewitched" (1964-1972) had magical powers that helped her cope with domestic life. Laura on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961-1966) was a dancer before she married and had a child. The 60s also saw the introduction of the single TV mom, with Lucille Ball in "The Lucy Show" (1962-1968) as a widow raising her two children and Diahann Carroll in the title role of "Julia" (1968-1971) as a single, working mom, also widowed, working as a nurse and raising a son.

In the 1970s gains in women's rights continued to increase along with divorce rates, TV moms were experiencing the unstable financial world of single motherhood and not because of the death of their husband. They were outspoken, independent, divorced and choosing to be single moms like Ann Romano on "One Day at a Time" (1975-1984), Alice Hyatt on "Alice" (1976 -1985), and some even chose to remarry like Bea Arthur in "Maude", who was on her fourth husband.

The 1980s was a decade known for credit cards, corporate greed, and over-achievers and the TV moms definitely reflected that desire to have it all: Elyse Keaton on "Family Ties" (1982-1989), and Clair Huxtable on "The Cosby Show" (1984-1992) juggled professional careers (as an architect, and a lawyer, respectively), a husband, a house, and kids. While the single moms found alternative ways to raise their children, and maintain a career without relying on a husband: Kate Mcardle and Allie Lowell move in together to share the financial and child rearing duties on "Kate and Allie" (1984-1989) and Angela Bower hires a male housekeeper to watch over her child, while she climbs the corporate ladder on "Who's the Boss?" (1984-1992), By the 1990s, TV moms were varied in their economic situation, educational background and career goals. They represented the life choices that were available to women in society. Brett Butler in "Grace Under Fire" (1993-1998) was divorced, raising children and struggling to make ends meet. Patricia Richardson on "Home Improvement" (1991-1999) left the workforce to become a suburban housewife, and later decided to return to school to prepare for a career. "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998) portrayed a successful career woman who had an unplanned pregnancy out of wedlock and chose to raise the child on her own -with the aid of her handyman.

The TV moms of the millennium found on "Gilmore Girls" (2000- ), "All of Us" (2003-), "The Adventures of Old Christine" (2006- ) and "Desperate Housewives" (2004- ) portray the moms of decades past: homemaker, divorcee, and do-it-all mom, but are seasoned with today's neurosis, dysfunction and irreverence, allowing for a more realistic and three-dimensional woman.