family-fifties.intro.html
Family in the 50's and change
Erin Greenwood
"If the reproduction of culture were simply a matter of formal instruction and discipline, it could be left to the schools. But it also requires that culture be embedded in personality.
Socialization makes the individual want to do what he has to do. The family is the agency to which society entrusts this
complex and delicate task." (Lasch,p.4)
The image of the American family and the family as a unit itself have changed dramatically since the 1950's. There were certain ideals that were appealing and also socially acceptable. Not only were hypothetical ideals such as doing the house work in high heels acceptable, they were also illustrated as the norm when striving for the "Leave It To Beaver" image. The notion of family has taken immense twists and turns throughout history and at the present time of enormous social change we tend to use the decade of the 50's as our pivot point. We use the family picture of the 50's as a comparison and a standard. As a nostalgic culture, we look back and wish we could lead similar lives to June, Ward, Wolly, and the Beave. However, it lies were in the suburbs.(Coontz,p.25) Suburban living provided for spacious living where family gatherings and activities could take place. Suburbia also provided for privacy and togetherness within that space. This close and independent atmosphere allowed for family time. This style was also more appealing because neighbors were not living so close that they are there when unwanted unlike cramped, city living. 
"I Love Lucy" is yet another great representation of the 1950's family. This couple, who owned a home, and other couples like them were able to do so because down payments were scraped together and mortgages were paid on time. This was all done with help from the government; not necessarily because the couples were self sufficient. After the Federal Housing Authority was passed, the requirements for a house down payment were only 5-10 percent of the purchase price. Mortgages themselves went up to 30 years with extremely low interest rates.(Coontz,p.77) These facts made it easier and possible for a wide range of people to become homeowners. The amount of homeowners and upward mobility increased rapidly thanks to federal aid. Federal GI benefits were attainable to 40 percent of the male population between the ages of 20 and 24.(Coontz,p.76) This not only helped expand their education, but it also helped improve different job prospects.
Also, the National Defense Education Act helped individual scientists by subsidizing American industry and education. During the 1950' llion of government wartime inventions and production processes were turned over to private companies, thus creating whole new fields of employment.(Coontz,p.76)
50s Images of Family Life
Structural Changes
Decline of the Family in the 1980s