The 1950s is often viewed as a period of conformity, when both men and women observed strict gender roles and complied with society's expectations. After the devastation of the Great Depression and World War II, many Americans sought to build a peaceful and prosperous society. However, even though certain gender roles and norms were socially enforced, the 1950s was not as conformist as is sometimes portrayed, and discontent with the status quo bubbled just beneath the surface (we will look more at this next week). Keep all of this in mind as you read the small sample of documents below. After reading Women in the 1950s, documents A-D, answer the following questions:
Were housewives happy with their lives?
Were women in the 1950s just staying at home?
Documents A and B say women were staying at home; but Documents C and D say that women were politically involved and even working. Who should we believe?
Do you think African American, Latino, Asian American, and women from other minority groups had similar experiences to those depicted in these documents?
Full Answer Section
Documents A and B suggest that many women in the 1950s were happy staying at home. Document A is a survey of housewives, and it found that most of them were satisfied with their lives. Document B is an article from a women's magazine, and it describes the "ideal" of the 1950s housewife.
However, documents C and D suggest that not all women were happy staying at home. Document C is a speech by a feminist activist, and she argues that women should have more opportunities outside the home. Document D is a study of women in the workforce, and it found that many women were working because they wanted to, not because they had to.
It is important to note that these documents are just a few examples of the experiences of women in the 1950s. There were many other women who had different experiences, and it is impossible to generalize about all women's experiences.
As for whether African American, Latino, Asian American, and women from other minority groups had similar experiences to those depicted in these documents, the answer is likely yes and no. On the one hand, these women were also subject to the same social pressures to conform to traditional gender roles. On the other hand, they also faced additional challenges due to their race or ethnicity. For example, African American women were often denied access to good jobs and housing, and they faced discrimination in many other areas of their lives.
Ultimately, the experiences of women in the 1950s were diverse. There was no single "right" way to be a woman in this decade, and women's experiences were shaped by a variety of factors, including their race, ethnicity, class, and location.
Sample Answer
The 1950s was a time of great change
for women in the United States. After the war, many women were expected to give up their jobs and stay at home to raise families. This was the "ideal" of the 1950s housewife, and it was often portrayed in the media. However, not all women were happy with this role. Some women felt trapped and unfulfilled, while others found satisfaction in being homemakers.
There is no single answer to the question of whether housewives were happy with their lives in the 1950s. Some women were happy with their lives, while others were not. It is important to remember that women's experiences were diverse, and there was no one "right" way to be a woman in the 1950s.