American Dream
The 1950’s American Dream
In the 1950’s, the “American dream” was originated around the idea that anyone could have the opportunity to achieve more success than in their countries of origin; for others, it was the opportunity to become an individual without the constraints imposed by class, race, and ethnicity. In the 1950’s, the foundation of the American dream was masked by the illusion of perfect white “cookie-cutter” families living in suburbia. However, negative and pessimistic thoughts about race and culture poisoned many minds, making it difficult for immigrants and minorities to realize their own idea of the American Dream.
At the end of WWII, soldiers were coming back to their families with the desire for prosperity. With the implementation of the G.I bill, countless families moved from the cities into the suburbs. Government paid programs opened up suburbia to growing numbers of middle class Americans, creating secure jobs for blue-collar workers. Suburbs blossomed into the ideal white neighborhood, where the “American Dream” was to be realized. It was the idea that every young man should marry a young, presentable woman and have darling children. These families would live in the cutout house with a cute kitchen, well-kept yard, and the white picket fence surrounding. The father became the strong figure, working hard to earn for his family; whereas, the mother would stay at home, raise the children, and tend to her husband once he came home. With the G.I bill in effect, property taxes were lowered substantially, making suburbia desirable for any white family. On the surface, this idealization may have seemed perfect, but there were many shortcomings that resulted from this illusion.
Women were objectified; they essentially had to be the perfect wife and mother. In the 1950’s, women could not pursue their true aspirations, whether they wanted to be CEO of a company, or even start their own business. It was absurd for a woman to become
In the 1950’s, the “American dream” was originated around the idea that anyone could have the opportunity to achieve more success than in their countries of origin; for others, it was the opportunity to become an individual without the constraints imposed by class, race, and ethnicity. In the 1950’s, the foundation of the American dream was masked by the illusion of perfect white “cookie-cutter” families living in suburbia. However, negative and pessimistic thoughts about race and culture poisoned many minds, making it difficult for immigrants and minorities to realize their own idea of the American Dream.
At the end of WWII, soldiers were coming back to their families with the desire for prosperity. With the implementation of the G.I bill, countless families moved from the cities into the suburbs. Government paid programs opened up suburbia to growing numbers of middle class Americans, creating secure jobs for blue-collar workers. Suburbs blossomed into the ideal white neighborhood, where the “American Dream” was to be realized. It was the idea that every young man should marry a young, presentable woman and have darling children. These families would live in the cutout house with a cute kitchen, well-kept yard, and the white picket fence surrounding. The father became the strong figure, working hard to earn for his family; whereas, the mother would stay at home, raise the children, and tend to her husband once he came home. With the G.I bill in effect, property taxes were lowered substantially, making suburbia desirable for any white family. On the surface, this idealization may have seemed perfect, but there were many shortcomings that resulted from this illusion.
Women were objectified; they essentially had to be the perfect wife and mother. In the 1950’s, women could not pursue their true aspirations, whether they wanted to be CEO of a company, or even start their own business. It was absurd for a woman to become