I think that it's interesting to view these new gender roles and norms in context of the
Cold War. It's fascinating that an ideological war between the two dominant superpowers forced Americans to adopt conformist gender roles. It was thought that for the family to be strong or “nuclear” that women had to play certain roles as reflected through the video “A Date with Your Family, 1950.”
Republican Motherhood advocated that women should stay in the home raise good citizens. This was fist popularized in the 18th century. It was widely accepted by women as they were considered valuable to society for the first time.These same ideas were popularized in
the 1950s as shown in the video. The mom is expected to cook, clean, and care for the family domestically. However, when these same ideas emerged during the 1950s they were met with significant backlash with the sexual revolution in the 1950s.
It was also quite aggravating to watch especially the part where the boy was shown doing studying and the girl was expected to make the table instead. In some cultures these types of restrictive gender roles continue and It honestly boils my blood because I think that women and young girls especially have so much potential and its just sad to see.
Gender continues to be a complicated construct into the 21st century especially in institutions. Women continue to make less than men do and there is little female representation in leadership positions.
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