If you were to sit down with your father or grandfather—depending on YOUR age—and ask them about life in the 1950s, chances are they’d have some good stories to share. These stories might make you reflect on simpler times and even inspire you to simplify (or change) the course of your own life.
The truth is that today’s baby boomer adults didn’t just “boom” into existence for no reason. In the 1950s, the United States was emerging from the Great Depression. Marriage rates were on the rise, and divorce rates were virtually non-existent. In fact, 91% of two-parent households—considered the norm at the time—were led by a male father figure who worked, and a female mother figure who stayed home to raise the children. The introduction of the GI Bill also provided millions of young men with the opportunity to attend college and obtain subsidized mortgages, helping them secure their own homes.
This era, often dubbed the Golden Years, painted a picture of satisfaction, contentment, and familial harmony. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Leave It to Beaver, you can relate to the nostalgic image of safe children riding their bikes without helmets through American neighborhoods—places that truly embodied the word “community.”
This could be one of the reasons that generational differences today rank among the highest experienced by living adults. While the stories of life back then may make you feel warm and fuzzy—and perhaps a little guilty about the rushed nature of life today—the truth is that men have come a long way since the 1950s. Once heralded as the leaders of society, during a time when women were still not allowed to serve on juries or secure loans, and most were turned down for any labor-intensive jobs, today’s men have evolved far beyond the stereotypical gender lines of the 1950s. While Grandpa may not understand why a wife and mother would choose to leave her family to play the role of corporate executive, the truth has never been clearer. The easiest response is: “It’s not the 1950s anymore, Grandpa. Things have changed!”
So, what exactly has changed since this golden era of living?
Men today are becoming much more active in raising their families. As of today, there are as many as 200,000 stay-at-home fathers. For those dads who work, taking care of the home and raising children remains a top priority. Even though the news is often filled with reports of deadbeat dads who skip out on child support, the reality is that today’s men do more around the house and with their children than Mr. Ward Cleaver ever did in his entire life.
Additionally, the days of the Alpha male seem to be over. With the evolution of women’s rights and the increasing presence of women in the workplace (and the military), the majority of men have become more open-minded regarding gender equality. Educational systems, which were once geared toward educating men, have become more standardized, allowing the plight of feminism to become mainstream in today’s culture. As a result, there are now millions of working mothers, many of whom earn more than their male counterparts. With both parents working, the responsibility for raising the children and performing tasks like cleaning and cooking is often shared equally.
Divorce rates have reached all-time highs, which may suggest that couples were happier in Grandpa’s day. However, the truth is that many women in the 1950s suffered from depression, anxiety, and alcoholism more than in any other decade. With little to no financial independence, women were often trapped in their roles as wife and caregiver, and divorce was simply not an option. The rise in the use of contraceptives and birth control has given today’s women the freedom to determine their own futures, especially in terms of motherhood. Years ago, men decided how many children would be in a family, often without consulting their wives.
Today, women can earn their own income, and with the removed stigmas of single parenting and the ability to control their reproductive futures, women are overall happier. This, of course, has a major effect on men as well.
Today’s men must work harder in their marriages, and they can no longer rely on the societal expectations of the past to keep things together. Men are now more respectful of a woman’s place both in the workforce and at home. They are no longer afraid to wear slings and baby carriers, push strollers, change diapers, and actively participate in parenting. In the long run, children are learning to see both genders as equal partners in marriage and family life. In another decade or two, the simplicity and corniness of June and Ward Cleaver will seem outdated—and even sexist.
Men, too, have gained more freedom to evolve into who they want to be. Today, it’s estimated that 5-10% of the male population is gay, with 4% openly admitting their sexual preference. Fifty years ago, it wasn’t that gay men didn’t exist; rather, the consequences of admitting it were both dangerous and grave, forcing men into closeted homosexual activities.
The societal changes, especially concerning men, are actually paving the way for a healthier and happier lifestyle for today’s children. The impact of an involved father in a child’s life, for both sons and daughters, has been scientifically proven to have lasting positive effects. Furthermore, as men step away from traditional alpha male roles and meet women on a level playing field, happiness and satisfaction in all areas of life—sexuality, employment, and relationships—are at an all-time high.
