Pop Culture the American Dream of the

Pop Culture & the American Dream of the 1950 s How does pop culture influence the “American Dream”?

American Business • As economy grew in the 50 s more people move into higherpaying white collar professions (managers, sales, clerical) • Corporations begin buying other companies creating conglomerates • Businesses did not promote creativity or “rocking the boat” • Another new business strategy was the franchise • Ray Croc who bought Mc. Donalds, franchised out the business & used simple assembly line method for restaurants

American Consumerism • 1950 s saw major spending spree in America, as new products were introduced: televisions, hi-fi stereos, dishwashers • Businesses also began planned obsolescence (don’t last as long so you buy a new model) • In addition to store credit, banks began issuing credit cards to make it easier to buy new products • Advertising increases in 50 s becomes $6 billion industry

Life in Suburban America • More Americans (esp. whites) move to the suburbs, where they enjoyed shopping malls, bowling alleys and community clubs • TV also played a role in how suburban life was portrayed, esp when it came to gender roles Discuss: How are gender roles (man & woman) portrayed on TV? https: //www. yout ube. com/watch? v =oay 9 Vx. FVFm. E https: //www. youtube. co m/watch? v= gv. YZ 3 gp. Z Mp. Y

The Baby Boom • A huge population explosion begins in the late 1940 s and 1950 s called the Baby Boom (4. 3 miilion per year at its height) • New developments in children’s medicine include Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine • Dr. Benjamin Spock writes best-selling book on child care • Day care centers and new schools are built to deal with the increasing “baby boom” population

Automania • Automania refers to Americans love & dependence on cars, esp because of interstate highway act • Businesses catered to cars, ex: drive-in restaurants & theatres • Cars & interstate hwy allows Americans to flock to vacation spots like lakes, beaches and amusement parks like Disneyland

Entertainment of the 50 s • Hollywood introduces 3 -D films and 50% of films are in color • However, television is the biggest form of entertainment, 500 new TV stations and 95% increase in sales of TVs • Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is formed to regulate broadcast mediums • Popular TV shows include Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Mickey Mouse Club & Howdy Doody http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j. Z 8 IBQ 0 MNKs&safe=active http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=8 NPz. LBSBz. PI&safe=active

• Quiz shows like Twenty-One and Jeopardy were hugely successful until a 1958 cheating scandal • Invention of TV Guide & TV Dinners make viewing easier https: //www. youtub e. com/watch? v=49 Qn 38 Wd. TTs

Teenage Consumerism • Many businesses begin gearing products towards teenagers, since they spent millions on products, movies & food • Comic books, hygiene products, soft drinks, and fashion were marketed to teenagers The Beatniks • Beat movement centered in San Francisco & Greenwich Village, NY focused on those who didn’t follow mainstream conformity • Beatniks read poetry in coffee houses, practiced Zen Buddhism, experimented w/ drugs & saw themselves as “counter-culture”

Rock ‘N Roll • Popularized by teenagers of the 1950 s, Rock ‘N’ Roll records made millions & artists were watched on American Bandstand • Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, “Little” Richard Penniman & Richie Valens are some of biggest artists of the decade • Elvis Presley brings Rock ‘n Roll into the mainstream https: //www. yout ube. com/watch? v=Zgdufz. Xvjqw https: // www. y outube. com/w atch? v =6 RO w. Vr. F 0 Ceg https: //w ww. youtu be. com/w atch? v=s GZm 7 EO am. Wk