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AMERICA IN THE FIFTIES CHAPTER 27, SECTION 2
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CHANGES IN THE WORKPLACE
1950’s: Rapid economic expansion So What? Majority of Americans in “White-collar” jobs Businesses on the rise: Advertising Sales Insurance Communications Expanding businesses: “Conglomerates”: Define Why were conglomerates growing? Examples? General Electric Xerox “Franchises”: Define Why were franchises growing? McDonald’s
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POST-WWII CONGLOMERATES
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Original Large-Scale Copier
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Early GE Data Control Room
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EARLY FRANCHISE
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U.S. Fast-Food Distribution
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CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE Social Conformity: More important in the 50’s
Why? White-collar businesses wanted employees who were going to conform They wanted “Company people” They wanted people to “fit in” to company Effect? Companies reward conformity Individuals are encouraged to conform and control their own individuality Literature affected by this ; examples? 1955: The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 1956: The Organization Man
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SUBURBAN DAILY LIFE Large-scale exodus from urban to suburban areas
Why? Baby Boom: desire to raise families in affordable areas Growth of the auto industry New highway networks Surburbs offered “safe”, “healthy” environments for children, families What’s new? New homes New schools New conveniences: household appliances, etc. New distractions: “automania”, TV shows New leisure activities: sports, recreational activities
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Interstate Highway Act, 1956
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THE BABY BOOM When? 1946-64 Why? How big was it: Example:
Families started/reunited after WW II New economic prosperity “Affordability” of marriage Medical advances: Examples? DR. JONAS SALK: Polio vaccine How big was it: Example: 1957: 1 birth every 7 seconds Total #, 1957: 4,254,784 births Philosophy: Family life revolved around the children DR. SPOCK: Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care Spock’s philosophy: Be lenient w/children Examples: Never spank your child Never scold your child Family meetings to allow children to express themselves IS THIS A PROBLEM?
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U.S. GENERATIONS, 1946-1994 1911-24: THE GREATEST GENERATION
: THE SILENT GENERATION : THE BABY BOOMERS : GENERATION X ’s: THE ECHO BOOMERS Questions: Why are generations often given names? What do you think is the origin of the aforementioned names?
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U.S. BIRTHRATE
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U.S. GENERATIONS
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DR. BENJAMIN SPOCK
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DR. JONAS SALK
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WOMEN’S ROLES 50’s: Very limited Narrowly defined role:
Child rearing Social / emotional support for husband Very little chance for any “career” Little encouragement to pursue goals Mid-50’s: 1/5 of suburban wives were dissatisfied w/their lives 1960: 40% of women w/children between ages 6-17 held jobs; problem? Yes No real chance for advancement
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CONSUMERISM DEFINE: WHY? New economic prosperity; people had $
New suburban lifestyle allowed “luxuries” Americans wanted to be consumers Growth of personal “credit” 1950: DINER’S CLUB – 1st credit card 1958: AMERICAN EXPRESS credit card company starts Problem? Personal debt grows in the 50’s GROWS FROM $73 BILLION TO $179 BILLION Growth of advertising: Does what? Creates needs where they don’t really exist New products / industries encourage spending: Home appliances Cars Etc.
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EARLY TV MODELS
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EARLY TV MODELS
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MAJOR POST-WAR TV NETWORKS
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