I think that it's more his interpretation of the comments that the women are making. For example, if someone said "it must have been nice to only have to worry about the house and the kids", they don't mean that it was a better time and they want to go back there, but that women had less responsibility.

"Kinda nice" doesn't read to me as "better."

I believe that there are women who've said something like that, and as as been said, it's a mix of nostalgia and the awareness that life isn't exactly utopian now, either. I doubt they were deathly serious, and meant "I'd give up my own life to go back in time and be this particular character for real."

ETA: What Vortex said, except I don't see him interpreting any more than we are here.

The bra burning phrase is what pinged me. So often used as a pejorative by my misogynist father...it just smells of patronizing dismissal. I grew up in the 60s and 70s...never once heard a woman mention bra burning...never knew anyone who did it nor anyone who knew anyone who did it. One or two incidents turned into a bucket in which to toss any 'uppity' woman.

Plegh. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

"Kinda nice" doesn't read to me as "better."

Even coupled with "Why did we ever burn our bras?" Only if they were saying it sarcasticaly might I buy it.

It's because I think the show does such a good job of showing that things weren't simpler and that women's lives were harder that I can't buy anyone saying "Dang that feminist movement. I'd rather just hang around the house." Unless they were being deeply sarcastic.

and in an interview, not just amongst friends (not that that's better, but the fact that he feels so comfortable using it for national consumption is telling as well)

This is how I feel about the whole interview, actually. Many of his comments might be okay to say to a friend, but to an interviewer? It just seems like real insensitivity to both the actual topics (women in the 50s and men talking about their feelings) as well as an insensitivity to the readers. Not that he has to be sensitive to us, but if he's not, I can't help but react as many others here did.

It just seems like real insensitivity to both the actual topics (women in the 50s and men talking about their feelings) as well as an insensitivity to the readers.

Or just plain lack of maturity. Neither one gets a pass from someone of his age and public stature, in my book.

One or two incidents turned into a bucket in which to toss any 'uppity' woman.

Bra burning is a myth. [link]

I just realized I need one of those embroidered shirts a la ita's link a while back that says "Uppity woman"

Fascinating link Ginger, thank you so much!

"Let's Judge Ourselves as People.'' They crowned a live sheep, and dumped girdles, cosmetics, high-heeled shoes, and bras into a "freedom trash can" while the cameras clicked

I remember that image, and as the years past, and I heard the term 'bra burning' as often as I heard 'draft card burning', I superimposed my own fire on the picture. I'm very, very glad to stand corrected in this and will share the link far and wide.

I superimposed my own fire on the picture.

this. And there was also that one episode of "Quantum Leap".