Suburban Ideal: This was a mentality of the 50s where after the war everyone wanted the same basic things. These things were a house, car, family, and material possessions in most cases. Blocks of similar houses were put up quickly and families filled them as soon as they were built. Everyone wanted to match their neighbor. The country was expanding and the economy was booming.

This advertisement spotlights the major ideal of the time. It essentially promises that a house with a yard in a nice weathered place will lead to happiness and a relaxed lifestyle for anyone.

Each member of the family had a firm role and they were expected to conform. Communities functioned based off of these roles.

Materialism: After the war the economy improved and suddenly the majority were capable of having more than the bare minimum. The struggle of getting enough to make end meets was over for most people and the market shaped to fit these new demands. Status was now represented by who had what and how many. The need to fit in or stand out fueled the drive for purchasing more products.

Before the 50s most families only had one car, but with the better economy families began to purchase a second. Luxury car demand increased and companies profited greatly. Advertisements were everywhere for cars from all over the world.

Cigars and cigarettes began to improve. New filters, scents, and styles were created and pushed to the public overnight. This indulgence became a status symbol.

White Collar Jobs: With the war over and a solid economy, companies were being built or finding firm ground. Less jobs were hands on and white collar jobs became more dominant. Women were often secretaries and receptionists, while men held the higher up jobs in most cases. Factory work began to be replaced by automatic machines, and industries continued to grow.

In order to afford the luxuries the 1950s seemed to require to fit in, families needed someone to provide. White collar jobs were stable and the 9-5 job shift worked well for families and the suburban ideal mentality.

Health care and insurance provided by companies also increased and improved. This helped allow security and benefited communities.

Women: Women were often expected to be housewives who stayed with the children and cleaned while the men were working. Cooking, cleaning, and keeping their husband happy were some of the "jobs" assigned to the average housewife.

Women had a major role in keeping up the image for the family. Often serving on committees such as Girl Scouts or PTA they kept the children and themselves involved in hobbies.

Women were expected to look good at all times and volunteer for charities. Opinions should always agree with their husbands and they must suit moral standards. Before making any major decisions they were expected to ask their husbands.

Husband: The husband of a household was usually both a provider and protector. They "brought home the bacon" that supplied their family with both necessities and luxuries. They were expected to be strong, hardworking, and determined.

The father often set the rules for the family, and especially the kids. Children must respect their father and do what he asks. The wife must do her best to keep him satisfied by running a happy home.

Any corporate job was well-respected and men often worked their way from the bottom-up in a business. Weekends were both family time and relaxation or hobby time for the husbands.

Comparison: The 1950s dream and the modern American Dream are extremely similar in many ways. They both focus on conformity, materialism, and happiness. They differ because the majority no longer has the suburban ideal, in fact, they have much lower than that. But overall, the recipe for the dream and success is still often thought of as determination and hard work.

MODERN DREAM

1950s DREAM