The end of World War II brought a new era of hope to Arkansas and the United States. With the return of America’s victorious soldiers to wives and girlfriends, a “boom” in births occurred, resulting in an increase of 76 million babies nation-wide from 1946 until 1964. These “baby boomers” have become the most well known demographic group in America’s history, comprising one third of the current U.S. population.
Baby boomers grew up in a radically different world than that of their parents and grandparents, whose lives had been characterized by the two World Wars and the Depression. The parents of these post-war babies wanted to provide their children with every possible form of stability and comfort. Suddenly, a new range of products and “parenting philosophies” arose, as Dr. Benjamin Spock became a best-selling author for his child-rearing advice books.
With the debut of television broadcasting and greater availability of television sets, baby boomers became the TV generation. By the time the first boomers reached first grade, they had watched roughly 5,000 hours of “Howdy Doody,” “The Mickey Mouse Club” and “The Lone Ranger.” Television watching time increased with shows such as “I Love Lucy” and “Bonanza”. As the baby boomers matured, programs like “Father Knows Best” and “Leave It to Beaver” provided examples of the supposedly ideal family. By the 1960’s, most homes in Arkansas and the nation had TV sets.
Mothers who stayed at home to take care of children and clean the house raised today’s “boomers.” Advertisers targeted these women in campaigns for new laundry, cleaning and health products and frequently implied that “good mothers” needed to maintain a high level of cleanliness. Despite a reputation as housewives, after their children started school mothers often went to work or volunteered for local charities. These women encouraged their daughters to get the best education possible and strive to work in whatever field they desired.
Baby boomers grew up in a radically different world than that of their parents and grandparents, whose lives had been characterized by the two World Wars and the Depression. The parents of these post-war babies wanted to provide their children with every possible form of stability and comfort. Suddenly, a new range of products and “parenting philosophies” arose, as Dr. Benjamin Spock became a best-selling author for his child-rearing advice books.
With the debut of television broadcasting and greater availability of television sets, baby boomers became the TV generation. By the time the first boomers reached first grade, they had watched roughly 5,000 hours of “Howdy Doody,” “The Mickey Mouse Club” and “The Lone Ranger.” Television watching time increased with shows such as “I Love Lucy” and “Bonanza”. As the baby boomers matured, programs like “Father Knows Best” and “Leave It to Beaver” provided examples of the supposedly ideal family. By the 1960’s, most homes in Arkansas and the nation had TV sets.
Mothers who stayed at home to take care of children and clean the house raised today’s “boomers.” Advertisers targeted these women in campaigns for new laundry, cleaning and health products and frequently implied that “good mothers” needed to maintain a high level of cleanliness. Despite a reputation as housewives, after their children started school mothers often went to work or volunteered for local charities. These women encouraged their daughters to get the best education possible and strive to work in whatever field they desired.