You say you wished you lived in the 50's but would the 50's accept you?

[Chris Gomez]

I hear folks all the time saying they wished they lived in the 50's or earlier, but I wonder, would the 50's society accept you?

 

My theory is NO. I think if somehow by a time travel device, you were swept away to the 50's, you would not be welcome in society, especially if you had tons of tattoos. They would probably think you were a circus performer or spent alot of time in prison (thus looked down upon and not treated fairly). Or, with the Civil Rights movement after the 50s, women wouldn't have the same luxuries of being able to speak their mind, or have the same job opportunities, and would not have the same amount of respect (ie. taken seriously in high pressure positions, like CEOs, holding public office, etc.) that they do today. 

 

Overall, I think if you were a white male, you'd probably enjoy yourself and fit in overall (with the exception if you're totally tatted up), but if you're a minority or woman, I think you'd hate it because of society's expectations and views at the time.

 

I could be wrong, they might think you're the coolest ever, but I don't think so. Would love to hear other people's thoughts.

 

-Chris Gomez-

[JaneDoe]

I agree with this so much. I always say how awesome it would be to go back to a time where women were always beautiful, there were jobs in the US. Kids actually played outside. Cars were built tough and nice at that same matter. I hear all the time from my grand parents, the good ol days, and it was always back then! It would be amazing times, but I agree...it would be different and most of us would not be accepted in that way of life!

 

(long sigh) it would be nice tho...

[Chris Gomez]

Lol ~ well put, the freedoms and opportunities provided to us today simply didn't exist back then. Makes me appreciate what we have today much more. Sad that we all seem to forget from time to time.....or all the time lol

Roxy Tart {Madam/Community Mgr} said:

I agree with you. I have tats, colored hair, and kinda dress like a tramp... I don't think I'd fit in so well. Also, I like to swear, burp, and pick up my son from school in my gym clothes. I like the freedoms we have today, and as much as I look back on the past fondly, and try to incorporate vintage living into my life as much as possible (enough that I get called "old fashioned", which I think is pretty funny), I'm glad I live in this day in age with everything we have. I mean hello... my iphone wouldn't work in the 50's!

[Chris Gomez]

There were alot of jobs back then for sure and we were the world's largest superpower after WWII. Ah yes, I love that saying' 'The good ol days'. Kids playing outside happens, but not as much with all the insane shoot-em-up video games we have now keeping kids cracked out in dark rooms for days upon days.

JaneDoe said:

I agree with this so much. I always say how awesome it would be to go back to a time where women were always beautiful, there were jobs in the US. Kids actually played outside. Cars were built tough and nice at that same matter. I hear all the time from my grand parents, the good ol days, and it was always back then! It would be amazing times, but I agree...it would be different and most of us would not be accepted in that way of life!

 

(long sigh) it would be nice tho...

[Chris Gomez]

There's a great chance you would have fit nice and snugly in the 50s then :) I love the idea of secretary by day and theatre starlet by night :) You'd better have a nice hubby or good close fam to watch the kiddos while momma enjoys herself on stage :)

Zarah Diane said:

I'm a classic attire kind of gal. I do not have tats or piercings. I do love the tat/piercing look. It's darling...but not so much me. I'm a homemaker and raising my children at home and a total comic con geek. I believe I could deal with the 50's ways...well, i'd perfer the 40's! I love the theatre from those. the only thing i'd hate, is that us gals just couldn't fight back in politics and changes. But, in those days, i would be happy just being a secertary and performing on stage in a local theatre! 

[Chris Gomez]

Same here! And to hear folks say 'Gee', "gee-wilikers', 'golly'.

Sailor Leina said:

I would love to live in the 50s just to see what it was like! But as most have said, I enjoy the freedoms of today. If I was an actress in the 50s, I would *love* to be surrounded by all the glamour. 

[Chris Gomez]

Is it just me, or did folks born back then live longer? Strange coming from an era when you could still smoke in hospitals lol

[Chris Gomez]

Today, a divorced woman raising two kids is considered a strong woman (like my momma ;) but back then, that seemed pretty taboo.

Buttercup Clothing said:

This. Ad to it that I am divorced and raising 2 kids on my own... nope. The 50's wouldn't like me so much. ;)

Roxy Tart {PL Team / Madam} said:

I agree with you. I have tats, colored hair, and kinda dress like a tramp... I don't think I'd fit in so well. Also, I like to swear, burp, and pick up my son from school in my gym clothes. I like the freedoms we have today, and as much as I look back on the past fondly, and try to incorporate vintage living into my life as much as possible (enough that I get called "old fashioned", which I think is pretty funny), I'm glad I live in this day in age with everything we have. I mean hello... my iphone wouldn't work in the 50's!

[Chris Gomez]

Thanks EC! I've thought about this for ages. When I created this thread I wasn't trying to 'diss anyone's beliefs or style. I just wanted to hear and talk about if folks seriously thought about the social climate back then in regards to civil rights, tattoo culture, etc. And if by some time machine, you were able to go back to this era that you say you love soo much, would you truly enjoy yourself there.

 

70s and Studio 54 hu? Now thems some wild times Amigo!

Edson Carlos {PL Team} said:

What a great thread, I agree with your thoughts. I think a very small percentage of women would actually "enjoy" life. Sure they'd enjoy when a man takes them out and they get to skip chores thus creating an opportunity for them to get completely dolled up but I think they'd hate the day to day.

 

I think I'd come back to the 70s myself, a regular at Studio 54.

[Chris Gomez]

Unfortunately, our society back then was soo racist :( Still kind of is, but nowhere near as bad as it was back then. It would have sucked to have soo much talent, class, and style, and not have been able to flaunt it. I agree though that it would have been thrilling to have been a Civil Rights pioneer and help change the world :) I'm just happy that in this era, we are able to make more decisions for ourselves and in a sense, "be who we want to be". Much thanks to those Civil Rights pioneers!

Michelle Blakxena Cook said:

I definitely love the "look" of the 50's, but I know the "Era" would not be for me.  Being a woman AND Black, I would end up being someone's maid/nanny, which was probably the only thing we could do back then, that is NOT ME at all (Plus with the mouth I have on me, I would have gotten myself in LOTS of trouble).  Being involved in the Civil Rights Movement would have been interesting to see first hand, I must admit.

[Chris Gomez]

I often wonder this myself. Thats why I love reading and watching Sci-Fi :)

I believe this revival of 1920s-1950s culture will still be around ~

Hopefully some future grease monkey will be making a flying 'rat rod' :D Oh ya Baby!

Zarah Diane said:

Wow, good point! I do like that major change. I just can't believe the changes in just 60 years and even remember, the 50's was our Grandparents area! It wasn't that long ago if you think about it. What will be the topics 50 years from now?! 

[Chris Gomez]

One of my favorite aspects of the 50s is most definitely the industrial design and aesthetics. Today everything seems so clean and characterless. 

Kustomkarma said:

I like the look of the 1950's, but not so much the attitudes and political views. I probably wouldn't exist at all being that I'm East Indian, American Indian, White, and possibly Portuguese. He**, I have to put up will people judging me based on appearance even now. Not to mention where we were in the 50's with regard to medical science and hunting for communists, etc. etc. I will have to say though that 1950's industrial design is awesome and the overall amount of buying power vs income seems to have been higher. My house was built in 1954, so I guess I live in the 1950's everyday. :)

[Chris Gomez]

Hell YES!!!! 

Flying hot rods! 

Vestige Photography said:

I want to live in the future!!!! Take me to 3011!!!