Changing Living Standards Flashcards
Definition of Living Standards
How much wealth and material comforts a person owns
Based on jobs, wealth, and family
Based solely around American Dream
Technological evolution of Neccessities
As technology developed over time new ‘neccessities’ such as cars, radios, fridges, TV’s
Social differentiation of living standards
Wasnt always about your job or role, those of gender and colour in early 20th century may have had a poorer standard of living
Great divide in wages- White man average salary 1939: 1234 but for other races could be half this amount
Medical Care
Health of nation improved significantly over time. FDR incorporated free Medicare for those who couldn’t afford it and this reduced death rate
Education Rates
Education rates Improved. 1940 73% 11-17 attending school from 27% 1917
Impact of WW2 on Living Standards
Post war economic boom meant public had a more disposable income
Reduction in consumer spending cut during war meant living standards were shrunk during war period
Better industry/infrastructures meant US able to grow in terms of production of goods
War time patriotism and conservatism of goods, shift away from consumerism
After war people craved new products, foods and goods, that they had abstained from war
Living Standards in the Second World War
Most Americans prospered during WW2
Government heavily encouraged public to invest money in War Bonds to help war effort
During WW2 problem wasnt lack of money, lack of goods to spend money on
Consumer goods- car, washing machines not manufactured
Decline in house building
Rationing also an issue- less of everything for everyone
Post War consumerism boom
Maintain high levels of spending,products regularly upgraded by manufacturers so consumers wanted latest model
Influence of TV on consumerism and health
Growth of TV ownership by 1950/60’s percentage of houses from 9%-85%
Women and children targeted because of their ‘pester power’
Advertising and TV huge influence on lives of what people bought
Health began to decline due to confectionery and advertisements for cigarettes, cola and pre cooked meals
Teenage consumer market
1950s American affluence meant teens were prime targets for expanding leisure industries
Teens spending 10 billion on cars, entertainment, fashion, music, magazines, comics, diners and bowling a year
Economic divide 1961-80
Post war ‘golden years’ a prime time they were not perfect for everyone
Wealth gap existed
Effects of Cold War caused crisis in consumer confidence
Non whites consistently lost their jobs and those employed payed less, 40% difference in income for white and blacks
1964 Civil Rights Act had ensured employers obliged to employ black employees seen as ‘token workers’
The White Flight
By mid 1960s many middle class of affluent form moved to suburbs , inner city rented by ethnic groups
Over 40% of non whites living below the poverty threshold
Quality of housing extremely poor, houses divided into sub-let rooms and left without repair and renovations
Areas such as Bronx became notorious for crime and drugs
Democratic strategies to improve standard of living
JFK was working on ‘New Frontier’ to challenge poverty
This was evolved by LBJ to the Great Society to fight poverty and challenge inequality
Created an agency with a budget of 960 million to tackle the areas such as medical care and housing regeneration
Scheme did achieve success but some argued still not sufficiently funded
LBJ’s Great Society
Direct federal involvement as well as community action programmes (CAP) provided relief to poverty stricken areas
Became clear that the Great Society was not winning battle against poverty due to Vietnam War cost and so eventually was scrapped after 6.6 billion was invested
Standards of Living From Nixon to Carter
Standards of living 1970s declined, largely due to economic depression caused by 1973 and 1979 oil crisis
Nixon began to dismantle Great Society and introduced own anti-poverty schemes. From welfare-workfare
Also linked welfare payments to inflation
