The 1950’s saw the American dream as the belief that everyone could achieve greater success in the United States than they did in their home country. For others, this meant the possibility to be an individual, without being restricted by race, class, or ethnicity. The 1950’s saw the American dream disguised by suburban white families living in suburbia. However, negative and pessimistic views about culture and race poisoned many minds and made it difficult for minorities and immigrants to see their own vision of the American Dream.
After WWII ended, many soldiers returned home to their families with the hope of a better life. Many families moved to the suburbs after the G. I cost was implemented. Suburban areas were open to middle-class Americans and provided safe work opportunities for blue-collar workers through government-funded programs. The ideal white neighborhood was born in the suburbs, and the “American Dream” was realized.
It was the belief that every boy should marry a young, beautiful woman and have children they love.
The home would be home to the two families, with a charming kitchen and a well-kept yard. The father was the strongest figure in the family, working hard to provide for his family. However, the mother would stay at home to raise her children and take care of her husband when he returned home. Because of the G. I cost impact, real estate taxes were greatly reduced, making suburbia more desirable for white households.
Although this image might seem ideal on the surface, there were many flaws that resulted.
Females were subjectified. They had to be the best mother and other half. Females couldn’t pursue their true goals in the 1950s, regardless of whether they wanted to become CEO or start their own business. A woman could not become the income producer in a household. This was only an impression of the American Dream. Because of limitations in society, women were not able to realize their specific goals.
Betty Friedan’s excerpt, American Identities. She explains how women suffered in 1950’s America by saying, “Each suburban spouse struggled with it alone…they discovered that true feminine women don’t want careers, higher education, or political rights “(Rudnick, 72). Friedan continues to stress how society views have led women to see marriage and children as their “greatest ambition”. Friedan’s biggest mistake is that it is difficult to see the concrete details of suburban housewives, and the constant demands on her time.
“But the chains that bind her are chains of misunderstood facts and mistaken ideas, as well as incomplete truths, and unreal choices. White men may seem to have the ideal job and perfect family, but the reality is that they are often working hard and have little time for their families. The “white-flight” opened the cities to all who wanted a better life in America. Immigrants were attracted to America by the idea of the American Dream.
High-rise buildings were built in cities to accommodate the growing number of immigrants who came to the United States. Immigrants were eager to start a new life and took low-wage jobs. They soon found themselves living in cramped housing projects. The influx of immigrants made American life extremely difficult. Property taxes rose and wages fell dramatically. The ethnic groups that occupied the cities made them more segregated, which only increased the hardships faced by immigrants.
Jack Agueros shares an excerpt from American Identities in which he explains the story of his father who fled Puerto Rico to seek a better life. However, he soon discovered that city life was difficult. “Into an old neighborhood came flooding in four to five times the number of people it was designed to hold. “Men who ran for jobs became jobless. The sudden increase in population caused new resentments and prejudice to intensify.” (Rudnick 97).
In addition to struggling to support their families the city became segregated, resulting in ghettos where ethnic violence arose. Safe cities once home to white families are now unsafe and governed by territories. Immigrants were left with little to no American Dream. Families struggled to survive and provide for their basic needs. A society’s discriminatory views of African Americans prevented them from pursuing the American Dream. This was in addition to the hardships that many immigrants faced.
In the 1950’s, African Americans formed the backbone of American families. They kept suburb houses clean and cared for white families’ children. African Americans were forced to work low-wage jobs, and they never got the freedom they longed for until the Civil Rights movement. The basic principle of segregation made African Americans inferior and this is a reflection of the American dream. African Americans did not have the chance to succeed in society, or to pursue their individual dreams.
The 1950’s provided a more family-friendly economic and social environment. However, there was still greater optimism, even for those in dire circumstances. After the war, the economic boom was overshadowed by 1950’s when most Americans were able to imagine a new life and not be restricted by society. Unfortunately, many people did not realize this dream due to prejudices about race and class. This ultimately led to the hardships many minorities and immigrants endured.
How life changed in 1950’s America?
Harry S Truman, the president of the United States, created the “American dream” in the 1950’s. American citizens could improve their prospects by creating the ‘American dream. Due to increased sales of goods and weapons from too many countries, the amount of money in America after World War II was drastically raised. Between 1945 and 1960, the total amount of money earned doubled to $284. 6 billion to 502. 6 billion per annum All Americans became richer and bought homes and cars. The American dream was to live in a suburb and own a car.
Also, they had to be able to afford every new luxury item. People didn’t want to be outdone. So if their neighbor got a new gadget, they had to get one of their own. Entertainment for adults was very popular in 1950s, when there weren’t many TV sets.
There were only 7,000 TV sets in America in the 1950’s, but there were more than 50,000,000 by the end 1950’s. Because there were no television sets in America at the start of the century, they went to music festivals to hear singers.
In the 1950’s there were many singers. Among them, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day. These singers wore suits with ties and smart clothes. Although their music is not as popular today, it was still the predominant music in the 1950s.
“Father knows best” These shows are about the perfect family: a father who runs the family and a mother who cooks, cleans, and looks after the children and their two children (a boy and girl) who excel at school and are never mean.
Many movies were also inspired by these television shows. American culture was transformed dramatically by the increase in American money and the increased amount of pocket money that was given to children around the 1950s. Because children were receiving more money, more clothing and luxury was available to them. These items were aimed at children to make more money. As the children purchased more, their parents would give more. In other words, the more money the children had, the more they wanted.
The children wanted something different from what their parents wanted. The children would rather have a completely different record than their parents, such as Elvis Presley. Entertainment for teenagers changed dramatically. As Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra grew older, it was time to bring in new, younger talent and take over the entertainment industry. These were James Dean and Elvis Presley. Both Elvis and James were seen by the older generation as rebels, but by the younger generation as heroes.
With his bizarre dance moves and undone top button, Elvis defied all music laws at the time. He also produced music that was faster than those of Nat King Cole or Doris Day. James Dean was an actor who lived by the motto, “Live free, die young, and have a beautiful corpse.” Ironically, he died young just weeks after finishing filming his film, “Rebel without cause”. “Rebel without cause” also broke many film rules, as his mother ran the household and the children drank and smoked on the streets. These changes made a huge difference in the family’s life.
What was the American dream in the 1950s
In the 1950s, the American Dream was to have a perfect family, a secure job, and a perfect house in the suburbs.
The 1950’s saw the birth of the American dream. It was based on the belief that everyone could achieve greater success in America than they did in their home countries. For others, this meant the freedom to be who you want to be, regardless of class, race, or ethnicity. The illusion of white suburban families living in suburbia was the main obstacle to the American dream’s foundation. Many people were influenced by negative and pessimistic views about culture and race, which made it difficult for minorities and immigrants to achieve their American Dream.
After WWII, many soldiers returned home to their families wishing for success. Many families moved to the suburbs after the G. I bill was implemented. The government paid programs opened suburbia up to a growing number of middle-class Americans. This created secure jobs for blue collar workers. The ideal white neighborhood was the result of the rise of suburbia, which became the “American Dream”.
It was the idea of every young man marrying a beautiful, young woman and having darling children.
The house would be a cutout with a well-kept backyard, cute kitchen and white picket fence. The father was the strong man, earning for his family hard; the mother would stay home and care for the children once her husband returned. The G. I bill had a significant effect on property taxes, making it more attractive for white families to live in suburbia. Although this may seem like a perfect utopia, there were many flaws to it.
Women were subject to ridicule. They had to be perfect mothers and wives. Women couldn’t pursue their true dreams in the 1950s, regardless of whether they were looking to become CEO or start their own company. It was absurd that a woman could become the breadwinner in a family. This only enhanced the American Dream illusion. Due to limitations imposed upon their “status” within society, women were not able to realize their individual goals.
Betty Friedan’s excerpt, American Identities. She explains how women suffered in 1950’s America by saying, “Each suburban spouse struggled with it alone…they discovered that true feminine women don’t want careers, higher education, or political rights “(Rudnick, 72). Friedan continues to stress how society views have led women to see marriage and children as their “greatest ambition”. Friedan’s biggest mistake is that it is difficult to see the concrete details of suburban housewives, and the constant demands on her time.
“But the chains that bind her are chains of misinterpreted facts and mistaken ideas, incomplete truths, and unreal choices. White men may seem to have the ideal job and perfect family, but the reality is that they are often working hard and have to support their entire families. The “white-flight” opened the cities to all who wanted a better life in America. Immigrants were attracted to America by the idea of the American Dream.
High-rise buildings were built in cities to accommodate the growing number of immigrants who came to the United States. Immigrants were eager to start a new life and took low-wage jobs. They soon found themselves living in cramped housing projects. The influx of immigrants made American life extremely difficult. Property taxes rose and wages fell dramatically. The ethnic groups that inhabited the cities made them more segregated, which only increased the hardships faced by immigrants.
Jack Agueros shares an excerpt from American Identities in which he explains the story of his father who fled Puerto Rico to seek a better life. However, he soon discovered that city life was difficult. “Into an old neighborhood came flooding in four to five times the number of people it was designed to hold. “Men who ran for jobs became jobless. The sudden increase in population caused new resentments and prejudice to intensify.” (Rudnick 97).
In addition to struggling to support their families the segregation of the city led to ghettos where ethnic violence arose. Safe cities once home to white families are now unsafe and governed by territories. Immigrants were left with little to no American Dream. Families struggled to survive and provide for their basic needs. A society’s discriminatory views of African Americans prevented them from pursuing the American Dream. This was in addition to the hardships that many immigrants faced.
In the 1950’s, African Americans formed the backbone of American families. They kept suburb houses clean and cared for white families’ children. African Americans were forced to work low-wage jobs, and they never got the freedom they longed for until the Civil Rights movement. The basic principle of segregation made African Americans inferior and this is a reflection of the American dream. African Americans did not have the chance to succeed in society, or to pursue their individual dreams.
The 1950’s provided a more family-friendly economic and social environment. However, there was still greater optimism, even for those in dire circumstances. After the war, the economic boom was overshadowed by 1950’s when most Americans were able to imagine a new life and not be restricted by society. Unfortunately, many people did not realize this dream due to prejudices about race and class. This ultimately led to the hardships many minorities and immigrants endured.