Parents' Guide to

The Brady Bunch

By Lucy Maher, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Oh, my nose! '70s icon is family-friendly fare.

TV Syndicated Comedy 1969
The Brady Bunch Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Karen W.
Karen W. Parent of 7 and 9-year-old
March 7, 2018
age 6+

Perfect series for kids

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!!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
benr1
benr1 Adult
June 20, 2016
age 7+

Great show

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.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 7 parent reviews

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.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (33 ):

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?

TV Details

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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.

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