a look at sexism in the 50s

Ok- so here's a few videos I was watching on youtube. After watching some of these videos- I kind of realized something. People were very sexist back in the 1950s. For example- theres this show called "Leave it To Beaver" and get this- you know the dad in the show right? This is what he tells his son:

"Theres sort of a tradition, I guess. They say that a woman's place is in the home- and I suppose as long as she's at home- she might as well just be in the kitchen."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_9wu-KjTk&feature=PlayList&p=91F127F74A32D2EB&index=10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzRthDEg4c&feature=PlayList&p=91F127F74A32D2EB&index=14

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgGFzUS4tkg&feature=PlayList&p=91F127F74A32D2EB&index=12


Ok- so my question is: to the people who actually grew up in the 50s and lived it- were people really this sexist back at that time? Or was this just something that they just showed on Tv alot back then?

 

XD

Ah, that shit makes me giggle.

 

Are you implying up until quite recently you never heard of the show "Leave It To Beaver",one of the all time best family shows of its kind ever made.It STILL entertains millions of people worldwide.--At least that show provided great,wholesome entertainment for the whole family,which is alot more than I can say for the absolute SHIT they put on tv nowadays,sexism or no sexism.......--Anyhow 'sexism' or 'sexist' have become such over-used terms.

 

I think there were plenty of people off the beaten path back then who didn't think that way. If all you witness is the sexist stuff then you could be forgiven for having that perspective.

Things have changed a lot, though, as they do.

 

My parents were adults in the 1950s, and they say that every other adult they knew back then held views that would be considered highly sexist and racist by today's standards.

 

You haven't seen those old shows??? A sheltered life indeed......anyhow,
Those clips were pretty funny.....I like where that one line where Mr. Ward tells Wally,"...hand me those asbestos gloves so I don't burn my hands getting these burgers..."

Look, it's always easy to look back 50 years and judge others in their place and time compared to ours. Someday others will look at us and do the same and laugh at what we do and say....

And even today, as an example, we look at Saudi Arabia and the way women are treated there and are aghast at the burqas that cover all but the eyes.....but some of them will actually defend that shit to the death......go figure...

 

I’m a big fan of old time radio especially from the 1950s when radio dramas dominated the airways, and I’m amazed at how much sexism existed back then along with the ignorance displayed when it came to smoking cigarettes


Hotwater

 

Yes, life back then was much different, one of the many reasons why flower children rebelled against their parents and their ignorant ways.

 

It's dangerous to make assumptions about the characteristics of an entire society based on a sitcom. Those things were no more realistic in portraying their times than are television shows now.

American society has changed a lot since the 50's, not all of it necessarily for the better, in my opinion. We now have laws that incorporate fairer ideas about sexism and racism, which is good, but people are also ruder and less considerate than they used to be.

 

Here is a quote I have always liked which proves that sexism, regardless of when and where it is practiced, is just ignorant thinking--for we would be lost as a species without the wisdom of women.

'Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.'

 

It is lazy thinking, based on invalid assumptions that could never be proven.

 

As I have matured somewhat, at least I think I have, hopefully... I have grown to respect the 50's, ya know time differences cause different mind-sets, so we can't be to quick to judge the past.

 

this statement is itself sexist. It implies that sexism is only when men discriminate against/attack women, not when women discriminate against/attack men. Also, that human wisdom is divisible by gender and that the woman's part is greater

 

I think sexist is the wrong word. It was a different time in that a lot of women were not in the work force and instead were homemakers. Attitudes were different with regards to gender roles and what was expected.

Women who did work did not tend to work in fields that were not considered female orientated.

Different generation and different views about many things. Before a blanket judgment is made, there were also many things about the 50's that many today wish were still able to be. Such as one income families and parents being able to be home with their children.

Times change.

 

Didn't live through the 50's or even close, so can't say anything first hand.

I think today that certain groups have more power: minorities, gay people, women.

A lot of that power has not come from a peaceful renegotiation of roles, but through organized attacks on "the enemy" aka, straight white men.

There is greater sexual freedom now, but at the same time gender relations are very bad.

I think that life for gay people has probably improved the most. Even in the 80's there was still a very strong climate of fear/ violence/ ridicule.

Class/ income polarization is now much, much worse. For a time during the 50's, the poor were actually getting richer. The income disparities in America today are outrageous, and most likely, will get much, much worse. I think that this is something that gets lost in the whole "celebration of diversity". The gains in political and economic power for minorities, gays, women are almost exclusively for that portion that is rich. We have reshuffled the demographic profile of the oppressing class, but the underclass system is worse than ever.

I think there was a study recently that said that while women have much greater incomes and job opportunities now (compared with 1980's, I think) they are actually much less happy (note, I can't cite the study, just remember it).

I imagine that there were a lot of really bad things about the 50's. It seems to me that we could have had a better revolution.

Things today, it seems to me, suck shit. Community, gender relations, general good will and ethics, have largely disintegrated, and I think that is the stuff that we really need to be happy. I wish that society could have cured itself of the oppression of minorities, gays, and women in a more peaceful and harmonious way. It seems to me that the cure has proven worse than the disease

(note, not all of today's problems come from this, though)

 

Someday women may rule the world, men may become the definitive weaker sex

are they going to look back and say we at this present age, are sexist? No, we are all but a product of the time. Women told other women they should be the perfect housewife, it was the ambition a different group of people had.

My grandmother plays bowls in my village every week, and the women make the tea. It seems sexist, I have asked her why, and she cannot think of any reason why she shouldn't- she enjoys doing it. She is, quintessentially, a lady of class but furthermore a lady with her own set of principles.

I'm glad things have moved forward, but they needed somewhere to move forward from.

 

read germaine greer's 'female eunuch' for one view of women's life before women's lib

edit: actually, the book i meant to mention was betty friedan's 'feminine mystique', but my tired old brain gets confused

and they're both good . . .

 

you know, one great think about a society that thinks women belong in a kitchen is the women could cook like no ones business. I will never again eat food as good as the food my grandmother cooked.

 

"I figured that being my wife would take up all of your time."

Now that's funny!

This is true.


As for the sexist issue. Compared to today's standards yes, it seems sexist. But as Heat said, that's just the way things were back then and people seemed fine with it for the most part.

If we were to go back and judge "modern medicine" of the 1800's we may call it barbaric, but back then it was revolutionary.

You can't hold yesterday up to today's light and get an accurate idea of it.

 

Your parents are dead right, Desperado. I was 18 when the 50's finished and I can remember them well. The Christian churches ruled the roost back then, consequently women were treated like shit. Yet if you walked into a church back then, just like now, the overwheming majority were women. :dupe: