Austin Garner
Mrs. Anna Short
English I Honors
04 May 2018
Culture of the 1950’s
“In American memory, the post war 1950’s have acquired an idyllic luster” (“53. The 1950’s: Happy Days”). We see the decade as a simpler time but this is not completely accurate. The was a time when African Americans fought for their rights, and women fought to have the roles in society that they wanted. While both these movement were occuring, slang terminology was being used to define the culture of the decade. Culture of the 1950’s was defined by civil rights, roles of women and slang.
In the 1950’s civil rights became important to African Americans. To achieve equality, they filed a court case known as Brown V. Board of Education this is were African Americans …show more content…
At the beginning of the 1950’s “women were primarily identified as wives and mothers” (“Women in the 1950’s”). Many women never left their home to do anything except shopping. Shortly after World War II “women began to make up a large portion of the postwar labor force” (“Women in the 1950’s”). When the soldiers returned women were expected to give up their jobs however, one-third stayed in the workforce. Shortly after the soldiers returned a large amount of babies were produced this generation was known as the “Baby Boomers” (“Women of the 1950’s). This “Baby Boom” forced women to return home as domestic wives and mothers. After World War II ended the Cold War spraked alive. “Women waged the war, by keeping family units strong and intact” (“Women of the 1950’s). The government and soldiers believed that women helped the most by being at home. “Women were expected to shop and be savvy consumers to help wage the war” (“Women of the 1950’s). African American women on the other hand had to work out side of their homes to support their families. Women of the 1950’s were treated far different than they are …show more content…
The terms “ankle biter,” “big daddy,” “dolly” and “greaser” were used to identify people during this decade (“1950’s Slang”). The terms greaser and dolly were used among the less fortunate of the fifties. “actor,” “Clyde,” “fream,” “spaz” and “bad news” were used to describe those who lived in the 1950’s (“1950’s Slang”). Slang terms helped individuals identify each other and describe each others characteristics. The slang used during this time were what identified this decade as its own.
Ultimately the 1950’s citizens experienced a change in the rights of African Americans and the roles that women played in society. The culture of the decade was defined by the slang that was used to describe individuals and their possessions. In the end the 1950’s is an iconic decade that shaped the decades to
Mrs. Anna Short
English I Honors
04 May 2018
Culture of the 1950’s
“In American memory, the post war 1950’s have acquired an idyllic luster” (“53. The 1950’s: Happy Days”). We see the decade as a simpler time but this is not completely accurate. The was a time when African Americans fought for their rights, and women fought to have the roles in society that they wanted. While both these movement were occuring, slang terminology was being used to define the culture of the decade. Culture of the 1950’s was defined by civil rights, roles of women and slang.
In the 1950’s civil rights became important to African Americans. To achieve equality, they filed a court case known as Brown V. Board of Education this is were African Americans …show more content…
At the beginning of the 1950’s “women were primarily identified as wives and mothers” (“Women in the 1950’s”). Many women never left their home to do anything except shopping. Shortly after World War II “women began to make up a large portion of the postwar labor force” (“Women in the 1950’s”). When the soldiers returned women were expected to give up their jobs however, one-third stayed in the workforce. Shortly after the soldiers returned a large amount of babies were produced this generation was known as the “Baby Boomers” (“Women of the 1950’s). This “Baby Boom” forced women to return home as domestic wives and mothers. After World War II ended the Cold War spraked alive. “Women waged the war, by keeping family units strong and intact” (“Women of the 1950’s). The government and soldiers believed that women helped the most by being at home. “Women were expected to shop and be savvy consumers to help wage the war” (“Women of the 1950’s). African American women on the other hand had to work out side of their homes to support their families. Women of the 1950’s were treated far different than they are …show more content…
The terms “ankle biter,” “big daddy,” “dolly” and “greaser” were used to identify people during this decade (“1950’s Slang”). The terms greaser and dolly were used among the less fortunate of the fifties. “actor,” “Clyde,” “fream,” “spaz” and “bad news” were used to describe those who lived in the 1950’s (“1950’s Slang”). Slang terms helped individuals identify each other and describe each others characteristics. The slang used during this time were what identified this decade as its own.
Ultimately the 1950’s citizens experienced a change in the rights of African Americans and the roles that women played in society. The culture of the decade was defined by the slang that was used to describe individuals and their possessions. In the end the 1950’s is an iconic decade that shaped the decades to