1950's - Coontz

In the politically motivated piece “What we really miss about the 1950’s”, Stephanie Coontz introduces the idea that the 1950’s were not all they are hyped up to be in our modern times.  She goes into great detail, and uses a plethora of resources to back up statistical data about the 1950’s.  The “Leave it to Beaver” days that most of us think of as what it was like in the 50’s may not be all that accurate.   She points out that “there was tremendous hostility to people who could be defined as "others.” (39) Others being blacks, possible communist supporters, the poor, gays and lesbians, and certain religious affiliates.  

 

The author presents her case very persuasively, and by the end of the reading I feel like the times we live in now are certainly better than they were then. This article challenges the cultural beliefs about American families by opening up several hidden issues of the times.  All generations seem to want to make their own mistakes and learn from their own challenges, and in 50 years from now I’m sure there will be writings stating how our current behavior as a society is similar to the way we look back at the 1950’s.

 

One of the things I found interesting is women went back to work in large numbers after the 50’s because their children that they had in quick succession were grown up and out of the home. Also, Stephanie points out that a lot of what we think about the 1950’s comes from a few television series of the time, such as “Father Knows Best” and “Leave it to Beaver.”   This article confirms my idea that we are on the right track in history.  Woman and people of ethnic origins have made large strides in breaking the bonds of repression.  I would be even further interested if the author has made an update to this reading.  From 1995 when the article was written, until now, we have made some dramatic shifts in our entire society.  A Black man is now our President, a man who has a lot of the same ideals as FDR and the New Deal.  

"Leave it to Beaver" family portrait