To conform or not to conform

To conform or not to conform

By: Faye Sokol

Ms. Valencia 4th block

This ad from the 1950s shows how men believed that they were superior and woman were meant to cater to their needs.

This ad from a vitamin company in the 1950s is subjected towards helping to improve women's health so they will be able to work hard for their husbands.

These women worked in a call center in the 1950s

These are women who are fighting against the norms to be strong and independent.

These are original signs from the 1950s that were placed outside of restrooms, water fountains, restaurants, and many more.

White males protesting the brown vs board act in 1954

On the other side of the protesting spectrum you have African Americans protesting for their own equality.

Men and women coming together to protest segregation in schools.

Frank Sinatra preforming live in the 1950s

The Beach Boys was popular band in the 1950s that was more on the "innocent" side. This is an original album cover from that time.

Elvis Presley Preforming in the 1950s

Men and women dancing to Rockabilly music in a club at the time.

Sources:

• http://www.rockmusictimeline.com/1950s.html
• http://study.com/academy/lesson/gender-roles-in-1950s-america.html
• http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-50s-19900419

Musical Arts in the 1950s

Conforming Musical Arts

Non-Conforming Musical Arts

In the early 1950s music considered "normal" was genres like R&B, pop, and blues. There was not many sexual or drug references in music at that time. Most music was directed towards an older audience that conformed with and enjoyed the "innocent" music.

The 1950s was a huge turning point with music. A genre called Rock and Roll became very popular and this was nothing like what the norm was thought to be. Drugs and sex were people idolized. Younger audiences were captivated and soon rock and roll was influencing other genres too. It forever changed the music game. People like Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard were popular.

Gender Roles In the 1950's

Non Conforming Gender Roles

Although it was the norm for a woman to be home, their were women who didn't want that life style. These woman usually weren't married with kids, lived alone, and had a job.

In the 1950's women were expected to stay home and take care of the household (cooking, cleaning, taking care of kids, etc.) while their husbands would work.

Conforming Gender Roles

Conformity:

To comply with rules, standards, or laws.

Race Relations in the 1950s

United States

- Politically -

• One of the most popular presidents of the 20th century, Dwight d. Eisenhower won the election as a republican.
• Republicans were split between isolationist conservatives (believed America should stay out of foreign affairs) and internationalist moderates (like Eisenhower, believed America should be over seas).

The 1950's was a major turning point for race relations, especially with African Americans.

United States

- Economically -

Conforming Race Relations

Non-Conforming Race Relations

• The economy grew 37% in this time period
• Inflation and unemployment was low
• The American family had 30% more purchasing power

The norm in America at this time was that White people believed they were superior to African Americans. Groups like the KKK harassed, tortured, and even killed African Americans for no other reason than hate. Although the ending of the civil war did mean African Americans were free and "equal", schools, bathrooms, buses, and even water fountains were made to separate whites from African Americans.

Although the norm in the 1950s was separation of African Americans and Whites, there were many people who opposed this. For instance in 1954 the Brown v. Board of Education Act made it so racial separation in public schools was illegal. In 1955 an African American woman named Rosa Parks decided to not give up her bus seat to a white man. She was arrested for that, but a year later a law was passed that prohibited bus segregation. One of the most famous racial equality peace activists was Martin Luther King Jr. He paved the way for the Civil Rights Act which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Conforming in the 21st Century

Gender

The norm in the world has always been 2 genders, male and female, and that all depends on how you are physically born. Boys must like girls and girls must like boys. This way of thinking has been around for a long time, but in more recent times we have combated this. Now people are fighting against the norm for their belief that love doesn't have to be classified by gender. It has been a bitter battle for people who happen to like the other gender or feel as if they should be the other gender, but finally it seems like America has started to accept this as the new norm. Most people now aren't afraid to identify as gay, bi, trans, lesbian, and many more.

Technology

Technology has been evolving like crazy for the past couple decades. 50 years ago the most households would have would've been a wire phone and a black and white television set. Flashback to now and it's almost weird if you don't have some form of technology. Now mostly everything you would do on an average day has some sort of form online, like ordering pizza, movie tickets, or just shopping for clothes. It's a blessing and a curse, and to keep up with the times most everyone must conform with new technology to be able to be successful.