How did the baby boom affect American society during the 1950s?

Answer 1

The "Baby Boomer" generation (1945-1964) in the United States affected society a great deal socially and economically. A multitude of schools were needed as a housing boom and the move to suburbia got on the way. Cars with a larger capacity also were needed. Interstate Highways were also built to transport goods from one state to another as well as for workers transporting from suburbia to the cities. The baby boom generation has taken us out of the depression into a fast growing economy with programs put in place by President Franklin Roosevelt. New homes were very affordable at about $5,000, new cars from about $500. Included in the G.I. bill, returning veterans from WWII were afforded education grants for college in order to compete for jobs that were available. Prices of food were also very inexpensive and merchants sold their wares on street corners and in vans. Supermarkets came into being in the late 1950's. The most crippling disease among the very young, polio, was conquered by Jonas Salk's vaccine in 1955. World's Fairs started to reflect new technology in the he bright future, though not very accurately. The "Baby Boomer" generation were also involved in the cultural innovations starting in the mid-1960's. In the 1950's, the traditional family values took place as the father worked and the mother would stay home to care for their young. Minorities were also part of the baby boom generation though they were still being discriminated even those who fought in WWII, especially in the deep south. African-Americans were often relegated to shacks in southern towns or the the ghettos of big cities. With factories needing workers, African-Americans left the south to the factories in the north in hopes of a better future.