1. Post- War Paranoia: An American Past Time
1945-Present

3. Fear = Loss of American Values will destroy our nation!
Other nations have the a-bomb!
COMMUNIST
WILL TAKE
US OVER!
Women Aren’t
Cooking dinner
Work!
Blacks
Want equal
Rights!
Foreigners
Are in
Our Country!
Teenagers!
Are
Out-of-control!

4. How will post-war PARANOIA affect Dating & marriage?

5. America’s New Enemy? Independent Women!

6. War between the Sexes V

7. BE THE BEST AMERICA EVER!
Objectives: 1950s
Bring back LAW & ORDER!
Create safe environments for the children!
Raise the children correctly…prevent WWIII
BE THE BEST AMERICA EVER!

8. WOMEN! After the war what happened to us!?

9. 1940s
1950s
“I want to get
A man…
And keep a man”

10. 1950s
1940s

11. "The ideal modern woman married, cooked and cared for her family, kept herself busy by joining the local PTA and leading a troop of Campfire Girls. She entertained guests in her family's suburban house and worked out on the trampoline to keep her size 12 figure."                                        Life magazine, 1956

14. "The ideal 1950s man was the provider, protector and the boss of the house"                                                   -Life magazine, 1955

15. In such a crazy world: where do good families go to live?
The
American
Suburb

16. Did American paranoia build the suburbs?
After the War = Soldiers used Government loans
to move out of the chaotic cities.

19. The 1950s

20. 1950s Mass Media’s Influence on Culture?
Print media, films, and television shows
re-enforced:
Gender Roles (how men act, how women act)
Proper American Values
Desirable Family Dynamic.

21. Learning Home Economics”
Gender Roles:
“The Importance of
Learning Home Economics”

23. Post-War
Marriages Increased

24. Median Age of 1st Marriage
Date:
-1890
-1910
-1920
-1950
-1980
-1995
-2000
Men: 26 25 22 27
# of Single yrs olds = tripled since 1970
Women: 22 21 20 25
# of Single yrs olds = tripled since 1970

25. “Are you ready for marriage?”
Prevent Divorce:
“Are you ready for marriage?”

26. Will I raise my
Child
The correct way?

27. Learning Home Economics”
Gender Roles:
“The Importance of
Learning Home Economics”
American Values:
“Mind your Manner”
Family Values:
“American Values 1949”

28. The Beatniks & Rebels Beatnik:
Mostly white artists who felt “beat down” by American culture. Looked for alternative lifestyles

29. Rock & Roll
Beatnik Movement
Teenage Delinquents

30. Father Knows Best 1950s

31. being perfect Americans
Father Knows Best 1950s
WHY is it like this?
Reflecting the social
pressures of the 1950s
to be the ideal family
Fight communism by
being perfect Americans
Middle Class
Dad works, Mom at home
Parents = very involved
Kids = very respectful = whole house
revolves around the children

35. Near Boston on Route 1 just north of route 128. Open Daily and
Sunday 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Visit Fancy Farmer Candy Fair and see the finest foods
from the world's richest
markets blended into these delicious candies in our
own modern kitchen for your eating pleasure

38. Word Bank -Too much fabric -Nazis -nostalgic -Martha Smith
-Senator McCarthy -list
- Rosie the Riveter -picture
-communists -optimistic
-jitterbug -propaganda
-zoot -swing
-Congressman Lloyd -ration
-too much work -liberty