post- war paranoia: an american past time 1945-present

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

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Post- War

Paranoia:An American Past Time

1945-Present

Fear = Loss of American Valueswill destroy our nation!

COMMUNISTWILL TAKE US OVER!

Other nations have the a-bomb!

Blacks Want equal

Rights!

Women Aren’tCooking dinner

They’re @ Work!

Teenagers!Are

Out-of-control!

ForeignersAre in

Our Country!

How will post-war

PARANOIA affect

Dating & marriage?

America’s New Enemy?

Independent Women!

War between the Sexes

Objectives: 1950s

Bring back LAW & ORDER!

Create safe environments for the children!Raise the children correctly…prevent WWIII

BE THE BEST AMERICA EVER!

WOMEN! After the war what happened to us!?

1940s 1950s

1940s

1950s

“I want to get

A man…And keep a

man”

1940s

1950s

"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

Women in the 1950sTraditional role of homemaker

Postwar emphasis was on having babies and creating a family -Gov’t studies say eventually the Soviets will outnumber Americans

= BABY BOOM!!

“A good mother should stay home to take care of her children”

“Set your sights on a happy home, a host of friends and a bright future through success in HIS job.”

"The ideal 1950s man was the provider, protector

and the boss of the house"                                             

     -Life magazine, 1955

In such a crazy world: where do good families go to live?

TheAmericanSuburb

After the War = Soldiers used Government loansto move out of the chaotic cities.

Did American paranoiabuild the suburbs?

Life in the Suburbs•Mass production of simple and similar looking homes•Move to the suburbs to avoid crime and congestion of city•Viewed as a move up to a better life•Affordable •Suburbs = American dream in 1950s

•Own your own home•Send your kids to good schools•Live in a safe neighborhood•Enjoy economic security

The 1950s

1950sMass 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.

Gender Roles:

“The Importance of Learning Home Economics”

Post-War

Marriages Increased

Median Age of 1st MarriageDate:

-1890

-1910

-1920

-1950

-1980

-1995

-2000

Men:- 26- 25- 25- 22- 25- 27- 27

- # of Single 30-34 yrs olds = tripled since 1970

Women:- 22- 22- 21- 20- 22- 25- 25

- # of Single 30-34 yrs olds = tripled since 1970

Prevent Divorce:

“Are you ready for marriage?”

Will I raise myChild

The correct way?

Gender Roles:“The Importance of

Learning Home Economics”

American Values:“Mind your Manner”

Family Values:“American Values 1949”

Beatnik:

Mostly white artists who felt “beat down” by American culture. Looked for alternative lifestyles

Rock & Roll

Beatnik Movement

Teenage Delinquents

Father Knows Best 1950s

Father Knows Best 1950s

Middle ClassDad works, Mom at homeParents = very involved

Kids = very respectful = whole houserevolves around the children

WHY is it like this?

Reflecting the social

pressures of the 1950s

to be the ideal family

Fight communism by

being perfect Americans

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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