The Good Old Days The image of the 1950s is usually characterized by clean cut, all American families with not a worry in the world, but behind the scenes, the American people just got out of a devastating war, and they must face the difficult challenges that came out of it. The 1950s Beach Date photograph portrays a beach scene that focuses on a young couple spending their day together. With its classic black and white color quality and vintage style atmosphere this photo would surely put the older generation in a state of nostalgia. However, the photo’s meaning is the real treasure here, and it could go much farther than the wistful feelings it depicts. The 1950s represents the carefree, simpler times of America, despite its recent history, …show more content…
This correlates with the importance of sharing these memories with each other. As mentioned above, it is seen through their gestures and facial expressions that the main couple enjoy being with each other, and they appreciate their time together. The people of the background also suggest they enjoy sharing their day with someone else. Some hold hands like the young couple in the middle, showing a sign of affection. Another pair places their arm on the other’s shoulder, indicating a relationship of some kind. One man actually seems to be helping his friend out as he stumble along the sandy path, implying that he cares if his friend gets hurt. Others race down the sand dunes together, suggesting a fun filled relationship. On the other hand, a man on the left of the photo is seen alone. He expresses a melancholy look on his face suggesting he is lonely. With his dark, heavy clothing, the man seems out of place and contrasts with the others of the photo. It is possible that he was captured in this shot to prove that friendship was important and almost essential at this time. Despite the gloomy feeling of the lonely man, it is the friendships that capture the untroubled nature of the 1950s and shows the fun memories were shared with ones they cared
When most people think of the 1950’s or 1960’s, they think of Elvis, Greasers, jukeboxes, Woodstock, and rainbow peace signs and hippie love. Although these symbols are somewhat accurate (and very popular), not many people think about the changes society and culture went through. The 1950’s and 60’s were a time of great change and freedom for many Americans. Everything from World War II, to the gay liberation movement, to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helped to change society. Many of the views American’s had on topics such as war, gender roles and sexual preference were changed greatly after these events and have led to our culture being what it is today. The 1950’s and 1960’s were a time where great changes took place that helped to
Throughout recent history, the fifties proved to be the most interesting to me because not only was it a time of great economic expansion; but it was also known as a period where current citizens and leaders of the United States frowned upon. The “Golden Age” proved to be one of the most outbreaking movements of the industrial age. This period in American history gave citizens of the United States access to a better standard of living, transformed American agriculture, and brought the rise of the suburban nation. Remarkably, the employment rate for women had skyrocketed during the year of 1955 proving that
As World War Two came to a close, a new American culture was developing all across the United States. Families were moving away from crowded cities into spacious suburban towns to help create a better life for them during and after the baby boom of the post-war era. Teenagers were starting to become independent by listing to their own music and not wearing the same style of clothing as their parents. Aside from the progress of society that was made during this time period, many people still did not discuss controversial issues such as divorce and sexual relations between young people. While many historians regard the 1950s as a time of true conservatism at its finest, it could really be considered a time of true progression in the
World War II had just ended. Women that were working because their husbands were out fighting in the war came back home when the war ended. The 1940’s ended and it was time for a new decade. The 1950’s were looked as a state of mind or a way of living instead of another time in American history. The 1950’s were the most influential decade in American history because the civil rights act began, fashion was completely new and trendy there were more much advancement in entertainment and medicine, and suburban life was much more functional than any other decade in America.
The 1950’s were called the “Happy Days” for multiple reasons. We were finished with a huge war, and our economy was booming. Social, political and economic policies were popping up everywhere. Many things define why the 1950’s were the “Happy Days” in the U.S. Whether it was the end of the Korean War for the U.S. or the economic boom that helped define what we call the “American Dream” the 1950’s were great times for America.
Somebody once said, “Some days I wish I could go back in life. Not to change anything but to feel a few things twice.” Many people have written and communicated about memories and aspirations, while others are good and others are negative. Stephanie Coontz discus of the “myth” of the 1950s in her essay, “What We Really Miss about the 1950s.” Coontz has an extensive background in social and family issues and has written numerous books and also has engaged extensively on television. In the essay, she combines both her experience to create the ‘idealist’ perspective of the 1950s. The essay discusses the positives and negatives of the 1950s while the role the family played including the misconception that 1950s were good. The aim of the essay is to evaluate, discuss logos, ethos and pathos about Coontz essay.
The 1960s was crammed full of many impacting events and important figures. From Hitchcock releasing one of the greatest thrillers of all time, Psycho, to Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, to the infamous Woodstock festival. This era changed history completely and made the United States think twice about its youth. Events of the 1960s are still impacting our country as we know it today. The sudden pull from the conservative ‘50s changed America’s views on all aspects of life, including fashion, entertainment, and lifestyles.
With the overwhelming amount of Levittown houses, the obsession to obtain the perfect American “ideal family” as seen on TV and the unspoken agreement to fear any and all foreign ideas and values, the 1950s were revealed to be a decade of prosperity, conformity and consensus. Just ten years later the atmosphere in America was shockingly different; the 1960s were a decade of turbulence, protest and disillusionment due to the ongoing struggle for civil rights, arising feminism, and the Vietnam War.
Elaine Tyler May's Homeward Bound weaves two traditional narratives of the fifties -- suburban domesticity and rampant anticommunism -- into one compelling historical argument. Aiming to ascertain why, unlike both their parents and children, postwar Americans turned to marriage and parenthood with such enthusiasm and commitment, May discovers that cold war ideology and the domestic revival [were] two sides of the same coin: postwar Americans' intense need to feel liberated from the past and secure in the future. (May, p. 5-6, 10) According to May, "domestic containment" was an outgrowth of the fears and aspirations unleashed after the war -- Within the home, potentially dangerous social forces of
The Sixties, by Terry H. Anderson, takes the reader on a journey through one of the most turbulent decades in American life. Beginning with the crew-cut conformity of 1950s Cold War culture and ending with the transition into the uneasy '70s, Anderson notes the rise of an idealistic generation of baby boomers, widespread social activism, and revolutionary counterculture. Anderson explores the rapidly shifting mood of the country with the optimism during the Kennedy years, the liberal advances of Johnson's "Great Society," and the growing conflict over Vietnam that nearly tore America apart. The book also navigates through different themes regarding the decade's different currents of social change; including the anti-war movement, the civil
Post World War II America was a society full of anxiety. In the late 1950s Americans were deeply troubled by so many social shifts. Major changes were occurring both internally and externally. They were in the midst of the Cold War, and were vastly approaching the atomic age. There was a communist scare and fear of Russian expansion. Joseph McCarthy was hunting down major celebrities for their communist involvement and the 'Red Influence' seemed to be everywhere. The move toward suburbia and the growth of multinational corporations were flourishing. People seemed to be pulled in every direction. Another change that would have a major impact on society for years to come was the
SEX/ RELATIONSHIPS: The 1960 style of dating was very proper compared to now. A guy calls you or asks you in person on a date and back then for a girl meant him picking you up, hanging out with him, walking you home and maybe giving you a kiss goodnight. Lots of first dates started off as a group dates. They would hang out at ice skating rinks or maybe go to the movies. If it is a dinner date the guy wills open doors for the girl, help her with her coat, pull out her chair and pay for dinner. We still do these activities in the year 2014 but some can argue that it’s not as romantic. Not a lot of things were done in the “proper “way. For instance now since we have more technology than they did back then, they flirt with the girl through social
A lot can happen in sixty years, and America is no exception to that statement. It is arguable that one of the biggest differences regarding America in the 1950s to modern America is culture. The movie “Pleasantville” reflects much of these cultural differences from 1950s to today in a creative and thoughtful way. It also provides much useful insight into the cultural conflicts America faced throughout the 1950s. The many differences between 1950s culture and modern day culture, my own opinion which time period I would personally choose to live in and cultural conflicts of the 1950s will be discussed throughout this essay.
An award-winning writer and internationally recognized expert on the family, Stephanie Coontz, in her article, “What We Really Miss About The 1950’s,” states that “In a poll by the Knight-Ridder News Agency, more Americans chose the 1950’s than any single decade as the best time for children to grow up.” However, Coontz has her own view of the 1950s, and she illustrates her own opinions about this decade using strong and logical facts. While the nostalgia of the 1950s is vastly strong in some people, some fail to notice the negativity and the reality of it.
Time changes everything. As time goes on even the everyday things in our life change. There are the obvious things like technology, transportation, and cooking. However, unmaterialistic things in our life change as well. Such as the way people date and the way people view dating. It really has changed drastically from generation to generation. For example, someone using 2000’s dating techniques would have had serious trouble dating in the 1950’s. There are many factors that have led to this change, such as communication and the view of women by society.