The age-old stereotype was still relevant in my grandparent’s era. Women were expected to conform to society’s standards which included cleaning, cooking, and taking of their children. They were supposed to strive to be the “perfect wife” that uphold their husband’s wishes. Women's role were constricted and it was frowned upon if you don't meet these expectations.
Society
Society is a community of people, and they collectively have the same standards and views. And as time goes on, these change along with it.
Societal Roles
Men were seen as head of the household and expected to provide for the family. They had the job to “protect” the family.
More and more women have careers and jobs rather than staying at home. There’s more fight for equality in the workplace and at home. Though there’s still a conception that women should take responsibility at home for cooking and taking care of children, it’s not as strict as it was in the 1950s.
For men, their stereotype hasn’t changed as much, but most have been open carrying out more responsibilities at home. Many men are breaking their own stereotypes of how they should act.
Music & Culture
1950s Music saw an emergence of Rock’n’Roll and for the first time, music was being targeted for the youth. Artists, such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, were changing the music industry. Average families were starting to get televisions and this led to a unique pop culture. Everyone basically watched the same shows and listened to the same music. Today, there’s more variety to music and shows because of advanced technology. Because of smartphones, we can listen to music whenever we want. There are many genres of music and more freedom to listen to any genre rather than just the popular songs.
Racism
During the 1950s, the Civil Rights Movement was at its peak. Growing groups of people were speaking out against the inequality and injustice African Americans face. It was becoming more and more apparent how cruel segregation and racism are as they enter mainstream media. Though there was progress in this movement, the fight against racial discrimination has not yet ended. Till this day, fighting against racism is still a movement today. But, compared to the 1950s, it is safer to live in this era for someone of color.
Sources of Entertainment
During the 50s, entertainment often came from cinemas, comics, television, and toys. My grandparents loved going to the cinemas and watching newly-released movies. Back then, movies were action-packed and related to the climate of the Cold-War. Comic book audiences were growing after World War II, and many people would go to their local comic store as a source of entertainment. Toys were also considered entertainment. Popular toys of the period were Frisbee and Schwinn bicycles. Nowadays, our entertainment is mostly virtual. We watch movies and shows on Netflix or other entertainment services. Even going to the mall has changed, as we turn to online shopping. Even though we can still go out to places like libraries, getting entertainment has become convenient as many things turn digital.
