HappyDaysDiscussion


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Answer this essential question by developing a discussion between two sets of people describing the positives and negatives of life in the 50s. Use one color to identify the positive aspects and another color to identify negative aspects. You should have at least five (5) major aspects explained on each side of the discussion. Each aspect should be described with detail. Make sure you spice up your discussion with some snappy 50s lingo. You'll be in fat city and have it made in the shade if you try your best, dig?

EXAMPLE POSITIVE NEGATIVE

What's buzzin', cousin? The 50s are fat city! Think about rock n' roll! Electric instruments, great rhythms, fun for dancing - teenagers love it. We've got Elvis, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard!

That's the word from the bird! And we have more entertainment because of the new fangled television. We can watch quiz shows, family shows, and keep up with rock and roll on American Bandstand. And we can buy television stuff in the stores. Like my cool Davy Crockett hat?

It sure is boss. But you want to know something that isn't? The poverty that is plaguing many in our nation. The economy may be booming, but farmers and farmworkers are suffering in rural areas, as are coal miners. And I sure wouldn't want to live in the inner cities - those ghettos are becomoing islands of poverty, mostly for minorities.

And besides for the inner cities, and living in the suburbs wasn't a blast either. The suburbs were a place were everybody was the same. There was no individuality. Everybody had the same cars, the same homes, and the same lives. The suburbs were a place where you had to conform, or change your beliefs and ideas to fit in.

At least the suburbs had a good standard of living. Many people could now afford a good house and good education for their kids. 9 out of every 10 families owned a tv. Also, people owned lots of appliances such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and nice cars. The quality of life was the best in the suburbs.

Don’t rattle your cage! The quality in the 50’s weren’t great for everyone. In the 50’s, women had the role of homemaker and mother. Even the media depicted them out to be homemakers as well, such as parents in shows like “Leave it to Beaver” or “Father Knows Best”. The men were the ones who got out, worked, and made lives for themselves and their families. 1 in 5 women were dissatisfied with life in the suburbs. They felt isolated, bored, and unfulfilled. Life in the suburbs for women was a pooper!

 Those who didn't like where they lived moved to other places. Because the housing market was good, people could easily move to different places. People especially liked the sun belt area of the country. Some of these states include California, Florida, and any where else in the south. The economy was booming along with the housing market. 

oh no, no they didnt. while the 50s were prosperous, famers sure werent. huge crop surpluses that caused the prices to go down. small farms suffered because large businesses would buy out farmland. They used machines and chemicals to produce a large abundance of food. these businesses hurt the small famers who could not compete with the large famrer. the wokrers of the famrs also suffered, with machines replacing them. many of these workers were african american.

As for African Americans and other minorities, they are starting to push for civil rights. Although most whites have the nice commodities of living in the suburbs, blacks and others are starting to get more respectable jobs. They are allowed to be in the military among whites.  ||