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1950s American Culture

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

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1950s American Culture

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  1. 1950s American Culture

  2. 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!

  3. Why a boom? • Husbands return home from war (in 1945) • Age in which couples marry decreases • New desirability for larger families • Economic prosperity

  4. Suburbia • Suburban growth with economic expansion and prosperity • Desirable option for many returning war veterans • Based on the fulfillment of the ‘American Dream’ and the ‘good life’ • Stimulated by white migration out of busy, ‘corrupt’ cities • Residents were mostly white and of the middle class

  5. Levittown, NY • William Levitt • 1947-1951 housing development • first mass produced suburb • low monthly cost, no down payment

  6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6JSJ3l-qg

  7. Consumerism • Families have more money • New homes required the purchasing of new goods • ‘Keeping up with the Jones’ • Consumption fulfilled idea of the ‘good life’ • Material goods were a symbol of status and success • The production of new appliances (vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, etc.) re-emphasized prominent social ideals

  8. Car Culture • Americans bought over 60 million cars in a short 10 year span • Influential in the development of suburbia • Rise of new services and access to leisure activities • Interstate Highway system

  9. Fashion • Bright colours • Poodle skirts • The bikini • Men grew hair longer • Beehive and Ponytail hairstyles were popular among women

  10. Toys • Hula Hoop • Frisbee • Barbie • Mr. Potato Head • Candyland, Chutes & Ladders • Superman, Batman Comics • Change in childhood experiences (contrast to previous generations)

  11. Television • Became the dominant form of entertainment • Number of American families with TV sets grew from 8 million – 42 million over 1 decade • Ownership was a symbol of prosperity (especially for families with the new colour TV set) • Programs presented viewers with messages about social norms • Television advertising began to surge also re-emphasizing societal ideals

  12. Popular Programs • Sitcoms (Leave it to Beaver, Father Knows Best) • Musicals (American Bandstand) • Comedy (Ed Sullivan Show) • Additional Resource: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqMQDb9aG4A

  13. Music • Era of Rock n Roll domination • Mix of Rhythm & Blues with Country Western • Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley • Growth of the Electric Guitar • Concern from parents about controversial lyrics and impact of music on teenagers • Additional Resource: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOvUdZgl7vo&feature=related

  14. Movies • Rise of science fiction film • Adolescent targets (James Dean, “Rebel Without A Cause”) • Musicals: “Oklahoma!”, “Singin’ in the Rain”

  15. Beat Generation • Culture of rebellious teenagers (defy social norms) • Anti-materialistic literary movement • Non-conformity • Howl (1956), On the Road (1957)

  16. Science/Technology • DNA structure discovered (1953) • Polio Vaccine (1955) • Sputnik 1 launched/ U.S. Explorer 1 launched (1957) • Organization of NASA

  17. Gender Roles • Women urged to leave the workplace after WW2 or were laid off • Pressure for women to stay at home • Return to traditional roles for women • Emphasis put on expectations by the mass media • Gender segregated jobs • Idea of men as the breadwinners Additional Resource: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_9wu-KjTk

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