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The “Me” Decade: Life in the 1970s
Chapter 19, section 4 Many Americans were optimistic about moving beyond Watergate and the Vietnam War.
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People sought to cope with what was going on in our nation through,
Laughter
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Fads
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Entertainment
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Spiritual movements
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I’m OK, You’re Okay: How to be your own best friend
Tom Wolfe coined the phrase the “Me” decade to refer to American’s attitude in the 1970s. Popular books of the day: I’m OK, You’re Okay: How to be your own best friend Looking out for #1.
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New Age Movements: Zen Martial Arts Tai chi Yoga Crystals
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Transcendental Meditation
One fad of the day was transcendental meditation – a way to meditate and seek release from the grind of life. The most well known gurus was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
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The Beatles followed him for a while, which made it even more popular.
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Changing family dynamic:
One of the most significant cultural changes of the day was the changing role of women. In the Work force: 1970 – 60% of women between the ages of 16 and 24 joined the workforce. 1970 – Women between the ages of were the largest annual percentage of growth in the workforce.
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The impact of the more women in the workforce:
Lower birth rates Children spending less time with their parents – babysitters, latch-key kids Increased divorce rate.
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Television: TV began to portray women in a different light, more modern, less traditional roles. Independent Single mothers Mary Tyler Moore show - single women, making it successfully in the workforce.
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More uncomfortable “issues” were dealt with on television. Topics like:
Abortion Racism Poverty The ground breaking sitcom to deal with many of these issues with a funny “in-your-face” approach was All in the Family.
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Spin-offs from All in the Family
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Music Hard Rock John Denver Barry Manilow The Eagles Jackson Five The Bee Gees
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Disco
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Personalized Messages on T-shirts
Fashion and Fads Personalized Messages on T-shirts
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Mood Rings
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Skateboards
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Fitness – Aerobics and gyms
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Cultural Trends Of the 70s
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