THE “ME” DECADE: LIFE IN THE 1970S POLITICS AND ECONOMICS

THE SEARCH FOR FULFILLMENT Watergate, Vietnam, a Poor Economy…people wanted to get on with their daily lives. Writer Tom Wolfe called the 1970s the “me” decade because Americans became self-obsessed with individual satisfaction Popular books of the decade: I’m OK, You’re OK How to be Your Own Best Friend Looking Out for Number One

THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT Young people were unsatisfied with the religion of their parents and sought fulfillment through secular movements and activities that became known as the New Age Movement Some New Age Movements extolled the powers of crystals and gemstones Some believed in reincarnation.

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION Gurus: mystical leaders Transcendental Meditation: spiritual movement of daily meditation and silent repetition of spiritual montras to achieve peak intelligence, harmony, and health Maharishi Mahesh Yogi—the Beatles helped him gain fame when they embraced his practices

CHANGING FAMILIES In the 1970s more women were joining the workforce Smaller families became the norm 1976: all time low in birthrates Parents and children spend less time together Divorce rate doubled

CULTURAL TRENDS IN THE 1970S Popular culture in the 1970s reflected many of the changes taking place in society. Television in the 1970s The Mary Tyler Moore show Unmarried women with a meaningful career All in the Family Confronted potentially volatile social issues with a bigoted, blue collar worker Archie Bunker Music in the 1970s Disco Softer sound, longer songs, new dances Fads and Fashions of the 1970s T-shirts with personalized messages Mood rings “CB” radios Fitness/Aerobics Skateboarding

ESSAY QUESTION Describe five fads of the 1970s.

ESSAY QUESTION Describe five fads of the 1970s. The softer sounds of disco music replaced rock ‘n’ roll as the music of the 1970s youth. T-shirts bearing personalized messages, skateboards, and mood rings were also popular with 1970s Americans. Mood rings changed color, supposedly to match the wearer’s changing mood. CB radios in vehicles became popular. These systems allowed drivers to talk to each other within a range of a few miles. Many truck drivers used them to warn each other of police speed traps. Soon average drivers purchased them, mostly for entertainment, as they talked to each other in CB jargon and code words. Fitness was another trend, especially aerobics. It was a way to stay fit while having fun and interacting socially. Running also attracted fitness enthusiast in the 1970s.

ESSAY QUESTION Describe the beliefs and activities typical of the New Age movement.

ESSAY QUESTION AND ANSWER Describe the beliefs and activities typical of the New Age movement. Disenchanted with the conventional religions of their parents, some young people sought fulfillment through the host of secular movements and activities that made up the New Age movement. New Age enthusiast embraced the idea that people were responsible for and capable for everything from self-healing to creating the world. They believed spiritual enlightenment could be found in common practices, not just in traditional churchgoing. They tried activities like yoga, martial arts, and chanting to achieve fuller spiritual awareness. The New Age movement took many different paths to transform individuals and society. Some New Agers extolled the power of crystals and gemstones to improve life; others touted astrology. Some were inspired by the Eastern belief in reincarnation, which taught that people could be reborn many times until reaching greater perfection. Awareness of former lives was supposed to bring knowledge of the true inner self.