how did containment relate "unamerican" behavior as communist? how were women effected by containment?
Keep these questions in mind as you proceed through the exhibit!
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 1 of 2)
After World War II, politicians, journalists, and advertisers began to glorify the nuclear family as an ideal example of the American democratic way, where women in particular were considered responsible for the integrity of the family.(Breadwinner dad and stay at home mom)
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 1 of 2)
The idea of a stay-at-home mom greatly interested business owners and the government in the post-war years. Many companies wanted women to leave their wartime jobs to open up jobs for men returning from the war, even though many women wanted to keep their jobs.
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 1 of 2)
Television shows like "Leave it to Beaver" and "Father Knows Best" broadcasted happy families and the ideal stay-at-home mom with wise fathers. The government and studios promoted this as a way to contain communism.
containing women, sexuality and families overview (page 1 of 2)
Stay-at-home moms could spend a great deal of time purchasing a wide variety of consumer goods, which was in sharp contrast to the lack of consumer goods of the Soviet Union. Not following this procedure was seen as undermining capitalism by the government.
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 2 of 2)
Women that rejected the nuclear family model faced judgment and rejection. Psychologists, writers, and advertisers scorned all women who went against social norms and wanted to pursue education. Many suburban women saw this nuclear family model as limiting and unfulfilling.
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 2 of 2)
Poor, single, and working class women couldn't actually fulfill the ideal American family, they still had to work outside of family in order to survive economically. Despite their economic needs, women were still criticized and were even labelled as "un-American".
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 2 of 2)
Poor Americans that were disproportionately people of color, were placed in practically considered "un-American" and potentially sympathizers with the communists. Any behavior different from the "Ideal American" would be placed in the category of likely to be communist.
containing women, sexuality, and families overview (page 2 of 2)
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how did containment relate "unamerican" behavior as communist? how were women effected by containment?
