Back to the 50´s

What was it like being a teenager in 1950? 

Teenage boys were taught to go to the military or find a job to support  his family. While teeenage girls were taught to take care of  the household. They were encouraged to attend college.

They also became more rebelious and independent.

They used to play cards, dice games and board games. And go to drive-in movies and bowling alleys. Teenagers prefered watching movies at cinemas because of privacy.

Three influential artists: Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Buddy holly

Dancing: After World War II and popularity of the Swing, American social dancing changed into bands of bebop and cool jazz. But teenagers still liked to dance.  Teens’ dancing during the 1950s was widely varied in steps and styling.  Most of it was still swing-based, but swing had been diverging into local styles and regional variations each decade for thirty years.  

Music: They liked to listen to Rock and Roll, Classic pop, Blues, Jazz.

Popular songs: Chuck Berry, ‘Johnny B Goode’, Elvis Presley, 'Hound Dog'

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog

Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

Well they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

Well they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

Well they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
You know they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine

You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
You ain't no friend of mine

Popular actresses/actors: Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Kim Novak

Popular tv shows: I love lucy, Disneyland, The honeymooners, Father knows best

Language: Slang has always been the province of the young. Words come in and out of favor in direct proportion to the speed with which they travel through the age ranks. Once college kids know that high school kids are using a term, it becomes passe. Many of these words, in fact most words can have “ville” added to them. There was coolsville, deadsville, Doodyville, squaresville, weirdsville and so forth. “Cool” was a 50’s word. We said it a bit differently. Today it is said in a more clipped way. We tended to drag out the pronunciation. But we had it first; we were the originals. Its a very similar  way holden talks.

Teenagers clothes: Ladies favored to wear poodles skirts, while gents went for more of a uniform look with suits, and skinny ties were kind of “the thing” at the time. Saddle shoes were also the “rage” for both boys and girls. Back in the days ladies made their own clothes. Hats were a misjudged symbolism. Boys hair was not allowed to touch ears. For ladies it was frowned upon if they tried to wear pants, most schools wouldnt allow it anyways. Boys werent even  allowed to wear blue jeans to school.

Dating: Before the war "going steady" was the idea that a couple was serious about marriage, the term got a bit of a vocab lesson. Dating is still pretty much the same as it was back then.

Dating Etiquette for Girls:

• Only floozies ask guys out.
• When someone asks you out, it’s polite to give an immediate answer.
• Never break a date without providing a valid reason.
• There’s no such thing as fashionably late; be ready when your date arrives.
• It’s only proper to introduce your date to your parents.
• Don’t apply makeup in public (please see first point).
• At a restaurant, it’s ladylike to tell a date what you want for dinner, so he can order for you.
• Don’t humiliate guys by trying to pay for a date.

 

Dating Etiquette for Guys:

• Dates aren’t like cramming for exams; don’t wait until the last minute to ask a girl out.
• It’s poor form to honk the car horn to announce your arrival; call for her at the door.
• Ask her parents when they want her home — and make sure your watch works.
• It’s only polite to help her don her coat.
• Real gentlemen open car doors for girls — or any door, for that matter.
• It’s chivalrous to walk between her and the curb.
• Bring enough money along.
• No kissing on the first date.
• On prom night, don’t leave the corsage in the fridge.

How much an average person earned per month:

The average family income:        $3,300

The average car cost:                     $1,510

The median home price:               $7,354

Minimum wage: $0.75/hour

Gas: $0.27 

Movie ticket : $0.48 

Rent: $42 

The average income per year in 1949 was $2,950. Holden's parents income was most likely much higher than this, like around $10,000.