A family in the Fifties
I look back at the Fifties with fondness. They seemed like innocent times, but a lot was going on behind closed doors.
On the surface, everything looked rosy. Moms and Dads were together, even if they didn’t want to be and divorce was a no-no, underlined by both church and the community. Most moms stayed at home, cooking and cleaning and taking care of the children while the dads went to battle in the workplace.
On Sundays, you put your best clothes on and went to church. After the service, city parks were full of men in suits and ladies in dresses picnicking with their kids. That kind of decorum wasn’t unusual. Why even downtown shops any day of the week (except Sunday when stores were closed) were filled with ladies in hats and gloves.
And as far as sex was concerned, you’d hear the odd reference and off-color joke when couples got together, but they were said in private homes. There was no mention publicly of masturbation, copulation, intercourse, or any reference to private parts by their real name. And if couples were living together without marriage, they were whispered about in hushed tones.
And yet, what happens sexually today, happened then. Only behind closed doors.
Marilyn Monroe, publicity photo for film, Seven Year Itch. Image from 1000 Things To Do In NYC
But there was also relief after the World War II. People began to relax and move towards more openness.
Hollywood stars like Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell and Jayne Mansfield shocked the public with their seductiveness. European actresses like Sophia Loren, Gina Lollabrigida, and Brigitte Bardot went even further.
Then there was the music. Elvis Presley shook his hips on the Ed Sullivan show and excited the teens, even though the camera only showed him from the waist up. Lyrics of popular music alluded to what was happening behind closed doors–in the bedroom or in the back of a car.
Thoughts, comments always welcome.
Perfect tie-in, Diana. Our social fabric has changed exponentially since the fifties. Kind of makes you wonder where the next ten years will take us?
Yes, it’s been quite dramatic. Well, it started in the 60s when a lot of family values were tossed out with free love. Maybe once the elastic has been stretched as far as it can go, it’ll bounce back. Don’t know what I’d like. Maybe a happy medium?
I’m a big Marylin Monroe fan so yeah, I love the 50’s and 60’s. Sexy was sexy, no excuses. Of course I wasn’t around – like I tell my husband, that was before my time. He remembers all sorts of TV shows. Not me.
Although I do remember that when my parents entertained they put out cigarettes and ash trays even though neither smoked. And they drank hard liquor, not wine. Interesting times.
Yeah, I loved Marilyn Monroe. I remember seeing The Seven Year Itch at a downtown theatre. And you’re right, lots of ashtrays around and hard liquor. My mom and dad, when they went to visit friends or family, they took along a bottle of rye whisky, Canadian Club. You’re so right, Julia. They were interesting times, double standard and all. 🙂