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1950s American Culture. Baby Boom. Late 1940s through to the early 1960s Became the largest generation in America’s history. 1957- a baby was born every 7 seconds!. Why a boom?. Husbands return home from war (in 1945) Age in which couples marry decreases - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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1950s American Culture
Baby Boomo Late 1940s through to the early 1960s
o Became the largest generation in America’s history
1957- a baby was born every 7 seconds!
Why a boom?o Husbands return home
from war (in 1945)
o Age in which couples marry decreases
o New desirability for larger families
o Economic prosperity
Suburbiao Suburban growth with economic expansion and prosperity
o Desirable option for many returning war veterans
o Based on the fulfillment of the ‘American Dream’ and the ‘good life’
o Stimulated by white migration out of busy, ‘corrupt’ cities
o Residents were mostly white and of the middle class
Levittown, NYo William Levitt
o 1947-1951 housing development
o first mass produced suburb
o low monthly cost, no down payment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6JSJ3l-qg
Consumerismo Families have more money
o New homes required the purchasing of new goods
o ‘Keeping up with the Jones’
o Consumption fulfilled idea of the ‘good life’
o Material goods were a symbol of status and success
o The production of new appliances (vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, etc.) re-emphasized prominent social ideals
Car Cultureo Americans bought over 60 million cars in a short 10 year span
o Influential in the development of suburbia
o Rise of new services and access to leisure activities
o Interstate Highway system
Fashiono Bright colours
o Poodle skirts
o The bikini
o Men grew hair longer
o Beehive and Ponytail hairstyles were popular among women
Toyso Hula Hoop
o Frisbee
o Barbie
o Mr. Potato Head
o Candyland, Chutes & Ladders
o Superman, Batman Comics
o Change in childhood experiences (contrast to previous generations)
Televisiono Became the dominant form of entertainment
o Number of American families with TV sets grew from 8 million – 42 million over 1 decade
o Ownership was a symbol of prosperity (especially for families with the new colour TV set)
o Programs presented viewers with messages about social norms
o Television advertising began to surge also re-emphasizing societal ideals
Popular Programso Sitcoms (Leave it to Beaver, Father Knows
Best)
o Musicals (American Bandstand)
o Comedy (Ed Sullivan Show)
Additional Resource: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqMQDb9aG4A
Musico Era of Rock n Roll domination
o Mix of Rhythm & Blues with Country Western
o Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley
o Growth of the Electric Guitar
o Concern from parents about controversial lyrics and impact of music on teenagers Additional Resource:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOvUdZgl7vo&feature=related
o Rise of science fiction film
o Adolescent targets (James Dean, “Rebel Without A Cause”)
o Musicals: “Oklahoma!”, “Singin’ in the Rain”
Movies
Beat Generationo Culture of rebellious teenagers (defy
social norms)
o Anti-materialistic literary movement
o Non-conformity
o Howl (1956), On the Road (1957)
Science/Technologyo DNA structure discovered (1953)
o Polio Vaccine (1955)
o Sputnik 1 launched/ U.S. Explorer 1 launched (1957)
o Organization of NASA
Gender Roleso Women urged to leave the workplace after
WW2 or were laid off
o Pressure for women to stay at home
o Return to traditional roles for women
o Emphasis put on expectations by the mass media
o Gender segregated jobs
o Idea of men as the breadwinners
Additional Resource: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_9wu-KjTk
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