1. + Women in the 1950s Suburbs, Baby Boom, and Gender Roles Is the image of the happy 1950s housewife accurate?

2. + Suburbia Suburban communities exploded in the 1950s These homes were affordable Many young couples were able to buy a home because of the GI Bill (fed. gov’t would back loans to veterans)

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4. + The homes were built quickly and cheaply Mass production resulted in uniformity of design and homogenous suburban neighborhoods

5. + The Baby Boom Year Births

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7. + Life in suburbia encouraged conformity There was pressure to “keep up with the Joneses” with material purchases (e.g., cars, appliances, etc.) New forms of media, television in particular, promoted consumer culture The Media created a new suburban ideal. Leave it to Beaver—the white, nuclear family with specific gender roles

9. + What do you think life was like for suburban women in the 1950s?

10. + Focus Question: Is the image of the happy 1950s housewife accurate? Why or why not?