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  • Essay / Working Women in the 1950s - 731

    As gender roles strengthened, the nuclear family was born. This ideal family, mostly depicted in popular culture, had a working father, a stay-at-home mother, and children. The television shows depicting this type of household, Leave it to Beaver and I Love Lucy, were not representative of American reality. Not all Americans were white and not all women were happy living as housewives (Boyer 101). Although most did not fit the mold of the nuclear family, it was a goal to strive for, and many advertisements were aimed at this "perfect family." An advertisement for Munsingwear Look-Alike Pajamas (54) depicts a happy family on Christmas morning. They enjoy their new toys, and the mother/daughter duo is “beautifully matched,” while the father/son makes “a great team.” It makes it seem like your family could be so happy and relaxed if only you had these wonderful and beautiful pajama sets. Another ad shows a nuclear family (34) promoting the sale of war bonds: "You help make the world a better place for your family when you buy U.S. Savings Bonds." » This ad addresses Americans' insecurities during the Red Crisis era.