happy days
The second article said about the same as the first regarding teens and behavior. Marchand addresses concerns of teen influences, James Dean, and the rebellion of youth against the expectations of their parents.
To answer the question regarding the essays and “Happy Days”…
The “Happy Days” persona of the 1950s is an attempt to gild the decade as the “good old days” when husband went to work, wife kept the home, and children did all they were supposed to without reeking havoc. “Happy Days” portrays a 1950s innocence that was not the reality. The mother of the house did not always stay home baking cookies and keeping the home. More than ever before she could be seen in the working world. Youth were not always innocent and proper. Promiscuity was not lost on the 1950s generation. “Happy Days” touched on some issues of 1950s society, such as dating, gangs, and propriety, while continuing to embrace the “good old days” of American society. Both articles make references that could easily be used to describe 21st Century concerns. Youth of today are technology dependent, seek social recognition, and strive for life unique from the era of their parents. Marchand addresses the popular influences upon 50s youth, such as the rebel attitude and James Dean image. Today’s youth are influenced by Hollywood heroes and industry Pop stars. Commercial advertising has a large influence on the expectations and desires of both youth and society. The debt of 21st Century society is tremendous. Wealth and happiness is defined by the acquisition of things. Society strives for convenience just as it did in the 1950s with the advent of new appliances and new gadgets.
November 19 2005 11:49 am | History and Ramblings
