Cultural Changes in the 1950's Flashcards
What stereotypes were created and developed for women?
Homemakers and mothers.
What did Ladies’ Home Journal articles emphasize for women?
Cooking, fashion, homecare, and keeping their husband happy - emphasizing their domestic role.
How were white, middle-class women portrayed on TV?
They were portrayed as passive and vulnerable.
How were women shown in Hollywood movies?
Women were often shown being “tamed” like in Bus Stop 1956 and in Hondo 1953
What is an example of women coutering steriotypes in Hollywood
Some strong female leads Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 1958. Elizabeth Taylor + Bette Davis played assertive women (notably outside of time period so be careful)
What are some crude stereotypes of Black Americans in the media?
The ‘mammy’ figure, which is akin to a comic buffoon, is a common crude stereotype of Black Americans in the media.
How are Black Americans usually portrayed in the media?
Black Americans are rarely featured in the media except as caricatures of servants.
When was the next Black American sitcom created after Amos ‘n’ Andy was cancelled?
There was no other Black American sitcom created until 1967 after Amos ‘n’ Andy was cancelled.
How did Amos ‘n’ Andy portray Black Americans?
Amos ‘n’ Andy portrayed Black Americans as either stupid or cunning.
What was the one area in which Black Americans found some respect
Jazz music and Blues
What percentage of the population was under 24 in 1950?
41%.
Why were people worried about youth being out of control in the 1950s?
Teen murders rose by 26% in 1956, and many people believed that poor role models in films or lack of parental supervision were to blame.
What was the reality of teenage behavior according to Los Angeles statistics?
Less than 1 gang in 10 engaged in violent behavior, and less than 1% of teens had a criminal record.
What kind of music did most teens listen to during the 1950s?
Most teens listened to placid music from crooners, not rock ‘n’ roll. The biggest hit record in 1953 was “How Much is that Doggie in the Window?” Elvis didn’t come into prominence until later in the decade.
Why was most teen rebellion short lived
50% male teens draft during the 50?s
