Suburbanization

Suburbanization

The 1950s was a period dominated largely by idealized domesticity, conservative ideals, suburbanization, and great economic prosperity. However, it is important to acknowledge that although the affluence and well-being of America during this time was widespread, problems and imperfections still largely existed, particularly issues related to the country’s youth population. Such issues caused a swelling of worry and concern among middle-class Americans during this important decade.
One major concern was the rising spread of gangs among teenagers and adolescents, especially in inner-city areas of leading urban centers such as New York and Chicago. The slums of these cities, consisting of a poor and struggling population that contradicted the prevalence of domestic comfort and security in America’s mainstream and gangs, provided a kind of an outlet for excitement and opportunity that adolescents from these areas were missing out on that their wealthy counterparts were indulging in. Sheriff Joseph D. Lohman mentions that, “They (gangs) provide an escape from the boredom and distasteful conditions that parents and school impose (Griffith and Baker, 86).” Such “distasteful conditions” of the inner-city slums are especially important to recognize in its contribution to the growing emergence of gangs and anti-social attitudes associated with them during the 1950s since the rest of the country was enjoying a historic level of prosperity and standard of living. When acknowledging this juxtaposition between the city-slums consisting largely of minorities and the prominent white suburban neighborhoods who lived enjoyably, it is easy to understand why middle-class 1950s Americans of suburbia were so concerned about the country’s adolescents and teenagers. These middle-class citizens were so absorbed in the comfort of their traditional family lives as well as the luxury of things such as mass ownership of television, appliances, and an overall abundance of consumer...