“Leave it to Beaver” was a popular sitcom about a traditional family unit, starring through the perspective of a teenager whose curiosity and antics often got him into trouble (TV .com). While the show promotes positive family values, it also inadvertently shed light on a historically dark period in American history. One such example was the lack of diversity on the show. Nearly 100% of the show's characters were white throughout the series' six seasons and 234 episodes. In the single episode that depicted an African American, the character was a servant, a further reflection of the times when African Americans were predominantly viewed and treated as second-class citizens (Leaveittobeaver.org). However, this 1950s ideal serves as a point of reference for what typical families looked like and how very different they are today. In recounting how the family structure has changed in America, it is important to understand how family was actually defined. When referring to the times of Leave it to Beaver (later referred to as LITB), family took on a substantive definition, or the idea that family was equivalent to kin, or related by blood or law. While this definition of family was useful for the time period, it failed to evolve with society. For this reason, sociologists set out to determine a “more inclusive functionalist definition,” which focuses on what families do. “A functionalist definition of family focuses on how families provide for the physical, social, and emotional needs of individuals and society as a whole” (Witt). With this, the functionalist perspective identifies six primary functions, which include reproduction, socialization, protection, regulation of sexual behavior, affection and companionship, and… at the heart of the article… many types of Family Structures in Our Communities." . NP, nd Web. 10 May 2014. .Henslin, James M.. "The Sociological Perspective." Essentials of Sociology: A Concrete Approach. 8th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2008 . . Print "Leave it to Beaver." TV.com, Web May 10, 2014. "Leave it to Beaver" FAQ Web .Nolan, Sarah 2012. Web. May 10, 2014. “Roe v. Wade in the PBS Supreme Court.” YouTube, December 1, 2008. Web, May 10, 2014. .Witt, Jon.