Mass Culture and Family Life

Chapter 19, Section 3

I. The Culture of Consumerism

A. Americans Spend More1. Increased Family Income2. Easy Credit

B. New Conveniences1. Supermarkets2. Home Appliances

II. Family Life in the Fifties

A. An Ideal Family1. Nuclear Family2. Women as homemakers

B. Revolved Around Children1. Dr. Benjamin Spock

encouraged nurturing children2. Parents spend more money

on kids

C. Religion1. Church attendance rose2. Dollar bill changed

D. Medical Advances1. Antibiotics2. Increased lifespan

III. Television Takes Center StageA. Programming reinforced ideal of the 1950’s familyB. Enforced Mass National Culture

IV. Rock-and-Roll Shakes the NationA. African-American OriginsB. Audience Widens

1. Elvis Presley kicked off the craze with “Heartbreak Hotel”2. Symbol of American youth culture