1950s America: A Utopia?

[Castille de Italia]

So NSG, I got to do some of that dangerous late-night thinking, and I thought about what it would be like to live in the 1950s, a time portrayed as somewhat of a Golden Age in American history. The time of sock hops and pink carnations, the 1950s economically and somewhat socially a prosperous time for America, after victories over Nazism and Imperial Japan, emerging out of the Great Depression as a world superpower.

The 1950s are generally portrayed as peaceful, carefree, and wonderful time in the media, when most everyone lived by the same ethics and standards. I personally do not think of the 1950s America as a Utopia, going by exact definition, given the social policies of the US and the looming threat of a nuclear war, but I'm curious to see NSG's opinion.

So, what is it? A Utopia, or just a period of prosperity in American history?

[Wilgrove]

1950 in America was great...as long as you were white, male, christian and you were middle class or higher.

It pretty much sucked for everyone else.

[Libertarian California]

The 1950s had some things that were better, and it had some things that were worse.

Next.

[Hetalian Indie Rio de Janeiro]

For able cisgender heterosexual middle and upper class Christian adult white people of the time and the things they supposed to be the ideal... I think so.

[Hetalian Indie Rio de Janeiro]

1950 in America was great...as long as you were white, male, christian and you were middle class or higher.

It pretty much sucked for everyone else.

DAMN NINJAS

BTW male privilege as we understand it today was not present in the time as women were supposed to inherently not be in the workplace or out of home. There were just different and very oppressive gender roles. But men and women didn't compete as they were more segregated. By what I know of the generation that lived by that time, they thought it was the good thing and enforced the gender roles they had been educated on and believed it to be right, especially given their status as Christians, so I don't think they were unhappy.

For educated, sexually liberated, left-wing or sexually oppressed unmarried females, as well as those suffering domestic violence, it was hell though.

[Saint Kitten]

1950 in America was great...as long as you were white, male, christian and you were middle class or higher.

It pretty much sucked for everyone else.

+married, straight
No one cared about the environment. Segregation..

[Siaos]

So NSG, I got to do some of that dangerous late-night thinking, and I thought about what it would be like to live in the 1950s, a time portrayed as somewhat of a Golden Age in American history. The time of sock hops and pink carnations, the 1950s economically and somewhat socially a prosperous time for America, after victories over Nazism and Imperial Japan, emerging out of the Great Depression as a world superpower.

The 1950s are generally portrayed as peaceful, carefree, and wonderful time in the media, when most everyone lived by the same ethics and standards. I personally do not think of the 1950s America as a Utopia, going by exact definition, given the social policies of the US and the looming threat of a nuclear war, but I'm curious to see NSG's opinion.

So, what is it? A Utopia, or just a period of prosperity in American history?

A period of prosperity, indeed, but not a utopia. The economy was great and yes, it was generally a great period of time. But, we were still behind socially in everything from the treatment of woman, to the treatment of gays, to racism.

On the bright side, it was a time of a great US economy(And US exceptionalism in general) and some of the lowest income inequality levels of 20th century America.

[Blasveck]

The only good thing was the economy.

Socially, it was shit, compared to today.

[Dakini]

lol. Maybe if you're white, straight, male and at least middle-class.

And if you like hiding under your desk pretending that this will protect you from a nuclear bomb.

[Saint Kitten]

lol. Maybe if you're white, male and at least middle-class.

And if you like hiding under your desk pretending that this will protect you from a nuclear bomb.

I thought that was 60-80's

[Saiwania]

I would have loved the 50's, back when a college degree actually had worth because relatively few people went to college or needed a degree for decent waged jobs. But there would have been no internet or video games. My hobbies would need to be more... outdoor.

[Hetalian Indie Rio de Janeiro]

I would have loved the 50's, back when a college degree actually had worth because relatively few people went to college or needed a degree for decent waged jobs.

Brazil is this way. *nods*

[Vicswampia]

It would be good if you're White and Christian.

[Libertarian California]

I would have loved the 50's, back when a college degree actually had worth because relatively few people went to college or needed a degree for decent waged jobs.

And back then, someone would have a much easier time putting themselves through college.

[Siaos]

1950 in America was great...as long as you were white, male, christian and you were middle class or higher.

It pretty much sucked for everyone else.

To be fair, that's what it was like for every country until the late 20th century.

At the time, it was a utopia, just not now.

[Personal Defense Force]

And the crime, don't forget the crime. Twice the crime half the time.

[Wilgrove]

and then everyone started saying the same thing that I said in the first place.

I would hate the 1950s, so many medical advances that kept me alive and allowed me to be here today weren't around in the 1950s. I'd most likely died right after childbirth back then.

[Tahar Joblis]

The teen pregnancy rate was higher then than now. FYI.

[Vicswampia]

I would have loved the 50's, back when a college degree actually had worth because relatively few people went to college or needed a degree for decent waged jobs.

Damn educational opportunities!

[Saint Kitten]

Riots in the south, KKK...
Sounds like fun /sarcasm

[New haven america]

Sure...

[Libertarian California]

The 1950s:

When European cars were pieces of shit, Japanese cars barely existed, and American cars ruled.

[The Parkus Empire]

lol. Maybe if you're white, male and at least middle-class.

And if you like hiding under your desk pretending that this will protect you from a nuclear bomb.

I thought that was 60-80's

No, hiding under your desk in the event of a nuclear strike was actually a thing during the 50's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0K_LZDXp0I

[Cannot think of a name]

There was something in the water in the late fifties that in 1957 some of most iconic car designs ever came out, and in 1959 there was some sort of perfect storm in jazz.

Counter culturally there were some cool things that happened, but you were still better off being straight, white, and middle class or higher as already mentioned (and now or ever have been part of the communist party...)

[Castille de Italia]

The 1950s produced some the coolest looking cars, sexiest clothes, and greatest music.

At least in my opinion.

That's pretty much why I would want to live back then. Plus the fact that I'm male, heterosexual and religious.