The explosive postwar economic growth of the United States made possible a remarkable rise in the standard of living for millions of Americans that would have been unimaginable prior to the war, creating what the economist John Kenneth Galbraith called “the affluent society.” This affluence changed patterns of work and living and in the process shaped cultural values. With this wealth came social pressures and expectations to live, act and look a certain way. It is the conformity of the 1950’s that is often pointed to as the dominant characteristic of that decade.
Yet, as we have seen, there were profound challenges to the status quo of society that emerged at the very same time. Changes were underway that were fueled by the very same affluence. Thus, it was a decade of both conformity and change.
Mass consumer economy – television – music – all impacted American culture profoundly. In what ways did these things contribute to enforcing societal norms? In what ways did they create challenges to the status quo? Did they have long term impacts? Are they good or bad?