Adoption in TV's Little House on the Prairie, Season Two

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

16 Feb 2009 07:08 AM

My last blogs have talked about adoption storylines in the Little House on the Prairie book series and television series. This blog and the next will mention specific episodes containing adoption-related issues, so that parents can be aware of them and be prepared to discuss them with their children.

In the second season, the two-part episode "Remember Me" is about a dying widow who is trying to find a new family for her children to join after her death. The children are stood at the front of the church while the widow simply explains her situation and that people should take time to think before they offer. (Beforehand, she urges the children to hold their heads high in the church and not to look forlorn. She tells them they are John and Julia Sandersons' children and they can always be proud."

Charles promises to find a home for her children if she dies before she can choose one, as she does. One family tells Charles they will take the two boys. The man seems most interested in how the children can help with the farmwork, and he is not willing to take the girl. Charles is unwilling to separate them and continues to search. A visiting rich woman wants to take only the girl. At length Charles agrees to this, asking the woman, "You will-Love her?"

As the boys prepare to say goodbye to their sister and go to the farm, the woman who has been taking care of them since their mother died receives a marriage proposal. She and her new husband want to keep the children together, and do so.

There is a follow-up to this story in the episode, "His Father's Son". The teenage son, now adopted by Grace and Isaiah, always has his nose in a book, writes poetry, and can't imagine shooting an animal. His adoptive father feels his son won't respect him if he learns that he is illiterate. He feels his son should at least make more effort to learn hunting and woodsmans' skills. A misunderstanding almost leads to tragedy, but results in a deeper appreciation of each other.

I did not find adoption storylines in season one or season three of "Little House", but later seasons provide several rich storylines in this area which I will review in my next blogs.

Please see related blog: Vive la Difference!

Older Child Adoption: Blessing or Nightmare?

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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