Child psychologists always note that children are great observers, but poor interpretors, which is why we have problems later in life. If no one ever explains to us the troubling things we observe, we, as children, tend to come up with our own misguided interpretations that subconsciously stay with us as adults.

No one ever explains anything to the Draper kids. They are always sent to their rooms, outside, upstairs, watch televison, go with Carla, go to Francine's, etc. The only time I remember either Draper parent offering an explanation was when Don explained to Sally that Baby Gene was not the living reincarnation of Granpa Gene. With all the drama in their house, these kids would have real problems as teens and adults.

As Fraysters have noted, parenting styles then were different than they are now. Perhaps the"children should be seen and not heard" or ever talked to theories of child rearing contributed to the rebellious and drug-fueled 70's.

Weiner seems to be making some kind of statement in the way he allows Don and Betty to treattheir children. The looks on Sally's face are a story yet to be told.

"Weiner seems to be making some kind of statement in the way he allows Don and Betty to treattheir children."

Interesting point. I don't know how old Weiner is (?) Many fraysters certainly remember that time period after the death of JFK to be disorienting...surreal, with the adults mostly distracted from interacting with them much, understandably so.