The Editorial (season 2, episode 24)

I'm enjoying my first time watching this series, this year. However, I just finished an episode that troubled me. Having been born shortly after this show went off the air, I wonder if it's just a cultural difference.

In this episode, Jeff becomes editor of his school newspaper. He writes an editorial advocating a reduction in the amount of homework and is told it can't go in the paper. He acquiesces, printing his editorial on his own and handing it out separately from the paper. He loses his position as editor for doing so. If a child of mine were punished when following instruction, yet going to the trouble of printing and distributing his opinion on his own, as did Jeff, I'd take on the school board if needed--as long as the opinion didn't encourage hurtful or unlawful behavior.

I was stunned by his family's reaction, the first time I've really disagreed with this show's slant. Am I off base (in being shocked by the parents' disapproval when I'd be proud of my child for taking a stand without being disrespectful) or is this just a matter of viewing 1960 through the lens of a Generation Xer in 2016?

Both my parents taught elementary school in 1960. Unfortunately, I can't ask either of them any more. I suspect they'd feel the same way that I do.