What was family life like in the 1950?

Answer 1

• The 1950s family did fairly well once WWII was over and wages went up; people bought a little more, but, still money was difficult financially for middle class families as far as paying the bills; own a house and most bought only secondhand cars. In most 1950s families there were stricter rules around the house for children such as chores; homework done; parents expected good grades from their children and if they didn't do well in school either the mother; father or both parents were right at the school demanding why. Parents were more proactive regarding education and having their children go to church. Young teens were not allowed to loiter the streets (police walked the streets at night) and if caught after a 9 PM curfew the teen could be picked up and brought home by a police officer, but mostly warned and told to go home. Young girls were not allowed to wear a lot of makeup (if any) and often had to babysit or do other chores to buy any extra clothes that were in fashion. There were no credit cards where teens could go off and buy whatever they wanted and teens were expected to earn their own money. TV was limited and many families didn't even have a TV when they first came out. Most families sat down for dinner for quality time. Sundays families would go on Sunday drives to spend quality time. Parents in general did more quality things with their children because only the father worked. If a girl met a boy she loved they didn't live together; she lived in her parents home until she was old enough to get married. If a boy picked up a girl at her home and honked his horn it was frowned upon and he'd better get his butt up to the door to meet the parents. There was a timeline for teens when they went out on dates and if they were late they were punished by not being allowed to date for a couple of weeks or more. Still, teens could be teens and they and they would hang around their favorite Cafe dancing to the Juke Box; going to school dances; the movies were always a hit; collecting 45 records; going to the very odd music concert such as 'Elvis Presley' and sometimes teens did drink if given a chance, but it wasn't like they drink today. There were fewer teens who did drugs and being on Welfare was only considered a last resort. However, when the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause' (starring James Dean and Natalie Wood) hit the theaters in the late 1950s teens began to change and realize the frustration and many pressures they were going through by older peers and many rebelled and life was soon to change. Respect of their parents was extremely high and 1950s parents didn't leave their dirty linen out on the line for the neighbors to know what was going on. Sex was rarely talked about. Crime was lower back in the 1950s. There were less pregnancies back in the 1950s. The 1950s was the age of fun and innocence and if anyone went through this era it is considered to be the best time in ones life.

Answer 2

• The 1950s family did fairly well once WWII was over and wages went up; people bought a little more, but, still money was difficult financially for middle class families as far as paying the bills; own a house and most bought only secondhand cars. In most 1950s families there were stricter rules around the house for children such as chores; homework done; parents expected good grades from their children and if they didn't do well in school either the mother; father or both parents were right at the school demanding why. Parents were more proactive regarding education and having their children go to church. Young teens were not allowed to loiter the streets (police walked the streets at night) and if caught after a 9 PM curfew the teen could be picked up and brought home by a police officer, but mostly warned and told to go home. Young girls were not allowed to wear a lot of makeup (if any) and often had to babysit or do other chores to buy any extra clothes that were in fashion. There were no credit cards where teens could go off and buy whatever they wanted and teens were expected to earn their own money. TV was limited and many families didn't even have a TV when they first came out. Most families sat down for dinner for quality time. Sundays families would go on Sunday drives to spend quality time. Parents in general did more quality things with their children because only the father worked. If a girl met a boy she loved they didn't live together; she lived in her parents home until she was old enough to get married. If a boy picked up a girl at her home and honked his horn it was frowned upon and he'd better get his butt up to the door to meet the parents. There was a timeline for teens when they went out on dates and if they were late they were punished by not being allowed to date for a couple of weeks or more. Still, teens could be teens and they and they would hang around their favorite Cafe dancing to the Juke Box; going to school dances; the movies were always a hit; collecting 45 records; going to the very odd music concert such as 'Elvis Presley' and sometimes teens did drink if given a chance, but it wasn't like they drink today. There were fewer teens who did drugs and being on Welfare was only considered a last resort. However, when the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause' (starring James Dean and Natalie Wood) hit the theaters in the late 1950s teens began to change and realize the frustration and many pressures they were going through by older peers and many rebelled and life was soon to change. Respect of their parents was extremely high and 1950s parents didn't leave their dirty linen out on the line for the neighbors to know what was going on. Sex was rarely talked about. Crime was lower back in the 1950s. There were less pregnancies back in the 1950s. The 1950s was the age of fun and innocence and if anyone went through this era it is considered to be the best time in ones life.