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The Affluent Society. 1950s…. What comes to mind when you think of the 1950s? . The 1950’s Society. Shifts in the Post-War Society. Average American income 3x “Blue-collar” jobs “White-collar” jobs Multinational corps & franchises - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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The Affluent Society
1950s…
• What comes to mind when you think of the 1950s?
The 1950’s Society
Shifts in the Post-War Society
• Average American income 3x
• “Blue-collar” jobs “White-collar” jobs
• Multinational corps & franchises • Mc’dees had 8
franchises by the early 1950s
• New Consumerism
THE BABY BOOM!!!• Years 1945-1961:
• 65 million babies• At its height in
1957, a baby was born in America every 7 seconds • Over 4.3 million
babies in ’57 alone• Baby boomers
represent the largest generation in the nation’s history
Suburbia: Levittown• Developer William Levitt
addressed the demand for houses caused by the Baby Boom
• Created Levittown in NY
• 100 mass-produced homes in a potato field 10 miles East of NYC
• 1947 1951: Thousands of families rushed to buy one
Levittown
1950s Family• The Baby Boom
• White flight -- Suburbs
• A return to traditional family roles
• Men were expected to work, while women were expected to stay home and care for the children
• Conflict emerged as some women wanted to stay in the workforce
Women settled back into “traditional” roles
• “Let’s face it girls, that wonderful guy in your house—and in mine—is building your house, your happiness and the opportunities that will come to your children.”
• “Set your sights on a happy home, a host of friends and a bright future through the success of HIS job.”
• -BH&G Magazine, 1955
LEISURE IN THE 1950s
• Americans experienced shorter work weeks and more vacation time than ever before
• Leisure time activities became a multi-billion dollar industry
• Labor-saving devices added more spare time
Labor-saving devices provided more leisure time for Americans
POPULAR LEISURE
ACTIVITES• In 1953 alone
Americans spent $30 billion on leisure
• Popular activities included fishing, bowling, hunting and golf
• Americans attended, or watched on T.V., football, baseball and basketball games
Bowling remains one of the top leisure activities in the U.S.