What was the typical American family like in the 1950s?

(1) On April 27, 2009 at 10:39 pm Sheelah Catherine [0] said:

I just want to offer a little discussing on the response to this question. I am sure that the 50’s were a wonderful time, but I argue that it was as great as it was portrayed here. I know that a lot of people think that "these days" are so horrible, and they are right, but there is a lot of good in these days too!

In response to "Parents didn't give their kids everything they wanted and the teens had to work for extra money they wanted." As a grade 12 high school student, I would say that 80% of my class works twice a week or more.

"Kids back then were lucky to get away on a camping trip and it never entered their minds to go on trips to other countries (only a few did)." We now live in an international world, where knowledge of cultures is an important quality to possess in the work place. These travels are often educational as well as exciting. Many kids are expected to pay for a percentage of their travels, and get the experience of working for what they want.

"Today if you asked a teen to mow your lawn or shovel snow they'd look at you like you were crazy! Girls babysat from the age of 12 on to help pay for their school clothes." This statement is very generalized, and you must have had only experiences with the few irresponsible teenagers, and those types of teenagers existed in the 50s. I cook supper twice a week and I am expected to do my own laundry, do the dishes every night, and I have to clean 3 rooms in my house twice a week. Chores do still exist, and expectations are still high. Shovelling the drive way and mowing the lawn is a chore few of us escape. I started babysitting as a 12 year old, and I know a great number of girls that have done the same. The majority of kids I know pay for their own clothes except for presents on special occasions.

"Kids got along well in groups and the peer pressure wasn't so great as today" Kids never get along well in groups, it is a time when they are learning how to functionally live with others. Peer pressure has existed forever, not only with teens but with adults and children. It may not have been peer pressure for the same things, but it was always peer pressure, and always just as effective as today.

Other than that though, this really was a great look into the 50's and it is interesting to read about it! I have a report due on family life in the 50's and this will be really helpful!

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