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America in the 1950's Essay

Decent Essays

America in the 1950's

Society in America during the 1950’s was one that portrayed men and women in very different, but rigid roles. Women were housewives, secretaries, and mothers. Men were providers, war heroes, and businessmen. Television, newspapers and magazines played an important role as well in determining ways men and women should behave. Advertisements for real estate were designed to sell to the “All-American” family. For example; Dad would be the returned home veteran who is now running the company, Mom is an ideal housewife who works a couple days a week for extra vacation cash, little Billy likes baseball and his sister Susie plays with dolls. Houses designed with this type of family in mind would prove very effective in …show more content…

A perfect home for a perfect “All-American” family. Another attractive feature that “Green Acres” was able to offer were low cost loans that were only available to veterans and their families. This neighborhood was designed as a community for middle-class families, who could live a solid, humble, happy life around other families that wanted the same. It was affordable for the average American family to purchase a home in this subdivision. Automobile manufacturers during this time also used the same campaign as many advertisers did. They put phrases like “coming home” and “it’s going to be all right” in their ads to lure veterans coming home. Some companies played on the fact that they were creating jobs for Americans. Therefore the automobile makers were keeping America’s economy strong and prosperous. By purchasing your vehicle through a company that provides Americans with jobs and opportunities, you were doing your part to keep America’s economy going strong. The advertising was designed to put a sense of patriotism in veterans returning home as well as the average consumer.
Women who worked during the fifties might have found it difficult looking for a job outside of being a secretary or receptionist. Women in the workplace were not taken seriously and were usually delivered the unimportant, meaningless jobs with little room for advancement. With titles like “office girl,” and “sales girl” women were at the

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