Ep 3. To Be a Boy

To Be a Boy is the third episode of the fifth season of The Donna Reed Show. The episode originally aired on October 5, 1962.

In this episode, Jeff Stones (played by Paul Petersen) has an important decision to make. He is a member of the school's basketball team but the other boys on the team have been teasing him about his interest in playing the piano. Jeff is torn between his passion for music and his desire to fit in with the other boys on the team.

Donna (Donna Reed) encourages Jeff to pursue his passion for music, telling him that it takes courage to be different and follow his own path. However, Jeff is concerned about what his teammates will think and whether they will continue to accept him if he pursues his love of music.

Meanwhile, Donna is also dealing with her own struggles with gender roles. She is asked to fill in as a substitute teacher for a boys' shop class and faces resistance from both the students and the school principal, who believe that a woman shouldn't be teaching a class traditionally reserved for men.

Throughout the episode, both Jeff and Donna are challenged to stand up for themselves and their interests, despite the pressure to conform to societal norms. In the end, they both come to terms with their desires and are able to find acceptance from those around them.

To Be a Boy tackles important themes of self-discovery, individuality, and acceptance. It emphasizes the importance of following one's passions and dreams, even in the face of adversity. The episode is a reminder to viewers that it's okay to be different and to pursue what makes you happy, even if it means going against the norm.