From War to Wavelengths: Television’s Transformative Journey in Post-World War II Era

 

Shakeel, Ali

11/26/23

Gathered children viewing Television (1950s)

 

 

Ali Shakeel

Professor Clasby

English 101

3 December 2023

 

From War to Wavelengths 

In the labyrinth of modern life, an omnipresent force has woven its threads into the very fabric of society, deriving connections, altering opinions, and dictating trends. Though we know the modern significance, the historical impacts should be noticed. Following the echoes of the 2nd World War, the television became a mirror reflecting both the scars of the past and a beacon of hope for the unforeseen future.

In the aftermath of World War II, a world scarred by conflict sought solace and renewal. As nations emerged from the shadows of devastation, a profound transformation echoed across societies, reshaping the essence of familial structures. The echoes of war lingered, yet a beacon of change illuminated the horizon—the advent of the television. Television emerged as a new family member within households, the newly found color within the television sets lit up the faces of Americans. Television gave families a new form of entertainment within the comfort of their own homes, essentially fostering a new sense of togetherness and unity.

Television Viewing ( 1950’s)

 

This newly brought light with the television wasn’t always glowing, times of darkness brought difficulty within households. Countless television series portrayed the lasting worries of violent men, distracted children, and trapped women. While the television brought churning hope for the future, the past clung on and re-directed the trajectories of the light. Families felt unity in the presence of the television while a simultaneous sense of lingering pain.

The introduction of television in post-World War II America catalyzed a paradigm shift in family roles, reshaping societal norms and examining televised narratives, familial structures, and broader societal changes, unraveling connections that defined the post-war era. From idealized portrayals in sitcoms to nuanced influences on children and the redefinition of family roles, television emerged as a cultural force that indelibly altered the trajectory of family life in post-World War II America. Analyzing the post-World War II familial interactions, the double-edged impacts of television can be seen.

To unfold my thesis, I first consider the historical development of television before and after its gain in popularity. To do so, I must draw upon the work of flagship writer Jacob Cliffton, “How Did World War II Affect Television” and examine how the tragedies and global iniquities from the Great Depression and World War 2 deprived Americans—a relentless period of depression and war created lost Americans, churning for hope. Next, I explore the impacts of television within households specifically. Using the scholarly articles of Mock Erin and Spiegel Lynn, “The Horror of Honey, I’m Home’: The Perils of Postwar Family Love in the Domestic Sitcom,” and “Make Room for TV: Television and the Family Ideal in Postwar America,” I plan to highlight the effects of television sitcoms on family life, the divergence from long-held traditions, and direct characteristic shifts within growing children. I delve further within households and speak to the lasting impacts the television drew for women. Drawing upon the scholarly work of Spiegel Lynn, “The Domestic Economy of Television Viewing in Postwar America,” I will interpret the emotional trap the television had created for women. After exploring the effects of the tv on all facets of a family, I will finally connect the revolutionary impacts and articulate a concluding synthesis. 

Following the Great Depression and World War II, the American mindset underwent a noticeable shift. The hardship of the Great Depression and the lasting impact of the war, depicts a nation scarred by economic challenges and global conflict. Americans had been, “deprived not just of their luxuries, but often of the necessities they’d come to expect” (Clifton). From job security, adequate housing, and even food security, Americans faced a new crucible of adversity, a yearning for change laid the foundation for transformation. As echoes of wartime difficulties faded, a period of prosperity and consumerism unfolded. Shortly after, however, America unraveled an economy labeled the “Golden Age of Capitalism.” Global economic dominance and astounding production levels outside and within homes allowed the United States to “cement its reputation as the world’s richest country”(Clifton). Clifton’s narrative weaves the fabric of this post-war consumer boom, depicting a society once mired in deprivation now enjoying newfound affluence. 

Within this economic resurgence, television, a nascent technological marvel, seized the opportunity to enter American homes. The swift integration of television into households became a defining aspect of the post-war landscape. Prosperity made middle-class necessities, including houses and automobiles, accessible, and the television became, “a household appliance that was finally affordable, TV provided hours of entertainment for what suddenly seemed like a reasonable price” (Clifton). The stage for television to become a central fixture in the lives of ordinary Americans had been created. Clifton’s insights highlight the societal readiness for this transformative medium, with the groundwork laid by radio facilitating television’s role in the domestic realm. Beyond being a mere chronicle of events, Clifton’s work provides a foundational understanding of the historical forces at play. Once a novel invention, television transcended its status as a device, symbolizing societal aspirations and reshaping the perception of the American Dream. Delving into the historical development of television post-World War II, nuanced perspectives serve as a guide, unraveling the intricate web of socio-economic shifts that propelled this electronic marvel to the forefront of American life.

The outer frame of the American economy seemed to be lined up perfectly, however, some blurry aspects remained within the structure itself. Firstly, television had firmly established itself within post-World War II households, emerging as a potent cultural force influencing perceptions of family life. To scrutinize the intricate effects of television sitcoms on familial dynamics, Mock and Spiegel offer scholarly insights, directing our inquiry into the complexities of this transformative period. Mock’s analysis immerses us in the realm of post-war sitcoms, unveiling how these televised narratives portrayed “an idealized picture of the American family” (Mock 30). Men yearned for family life and stability and so, “after the experiential chasm of the war and the long physical separation from women, rushed into marriage, quickly had children, and lurched into the family life. It was the Baby Boom” (Mock 32). The correlation between sitcom portrayals and the Baby Boom era is significant. Mock’s insights guided us through the societal push for family stability, a thematic thread integrated into the post-war yearning for establishment and security. As families expanded in the Baby Boom era, sitcoms often reflected these burgeoning households, creating idealized representations that both mirrored and perpetuated societal norms.

Baby Boom Era ( 1946)

Additionally drawing from Mock’s work, we delve into iconic shows like “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” and “I Love Lucy,” unearthing how these depictions reflected and influenced societal expectations. Specifically, in the show “I Love Lucy,” a man, upon returning home to his wife after a night of drinking suddenly begins, “ shoving her, throwing a drink in her face, pulling her in for a kiss only to push her down, while berating her” (Mock 30). The audience may have felt amused, but this scene speaks to the wife’s immediate fear of her husband. Mock’s exploration further delves into the challenges faced by families in post-war society. The delicate equilibrium between male violence and family responses becomes a central theme, with Mock connecting the volatile behavior of male characters to their wartime experiences. This examination sheds light on the intricacies of familial relationships post-World War II, where societal pressures for stability clashed with the lingering impact of war. Even children fell victim to the thread of fear. A family sitcom, “Hi Honey, I’m Home ” explores and satirizes social norms in the 1950’s, explicitly addressing nuclear families. Like the other members of the Nielsen family, Rusty, a sitcom character from, “Hi Honey, I’m Home” is a stereotypical representation of the 1950s family. In an intentionally exaggerated scene for comedic purposes, Rusty, referring to his father, exclaims, “I’m afraid my best friend is going to kill me” (Mock 38). Mock is trying to emphasize a potential dysfunctional relationship between a parent and child and violence, yet again being drawn from war experience. The effects the war had on men weaved their way into family relationships. 

 

         

              Iconic Television Sitcom ( 1951) 

 

Traditions are customs and beliefs passed down through generations, they play a significant role in shaping the shared experiences and values of groups. Traditions can carry social and cultural significance, immense emotional attachment, and even shape a group’s identity. Breaking a tradition is like shattering a delicate heirloom, each fragment on the floor holding the weight of sentimentality echoing the sounds of departure. The decision to voluntarily tear a generational tradition must be backed by definite and acceptable reasoning. As the television stepped into Americans’ homes, long-held traditions shattered. The presence of the television had such significance to Americans that generational traditions were worth losing. Spiegel complements Mock’s insights by providing a broader understanding of the implications of television’s introduction into households. Spiegel’s work delves into the displacement of traditional fixtures within homes, symbolizing technological progress and a profound shift in familial dynamics. To address the question if Americans “really need a piano,” one woman writes to a TV World columnist named Kathi Noris claiming, “ since we got our television set, we’ve had to change the arrangement of furniture in our living room, and we just can’t keep the piano” (“Make Room” 38). The television challenged long standing rituals and traditions, reshaping how families engaged in pre-existing practices. The direct substitutions speak to the shift in entertainment dynamics. Traditionally, the piano may have been the focal point of musical entertainment and social gatherings, but with the introduction of the television visual entertainment took initiative over musical activities.

 

Soldiers Playing Piano

Navigating the impact of television on family life, Mock and Spiegel offer scholarly lenses unveiling the layers of societal expectations, challenges, and transformations. These insights, derived from their meticulous examinations, guide our exploration into how televised narratives not only reflected but actively participated in shaping the evolving landscape of family dynamics in post-World War II America.

Children viewing Television

 

As television asserted itself in post-World War II households, it assumed the role of a subtle arbiter shaping societal roles, leaving an indelible mark on familial dynamics and significantly influencing the transformative evolution of women’s roles. Spiegel’s exploration of the domestic economy of television viewing serves as an invaluable guide, offering profound insights into the intricate ways television impacted women and contributed to the shifting landscape of gender roles during this transformative era. Spiegel delves into the notable rise of married women taking jobs outside the home in the 1950s. As society contended with evolving dynamics, magazines depicted women navigating the delicate balance between family and public workspaces. Magazines “offered women instructions on how to cope with television, and they established a set of viewing practices based around the tenuous balance of labor and leisure at home”( Spiegel “Domestic Economy” 341). Spiegel’s perspectives enable us to navigate how television, initially perceived as a family leisure activity, collides with societal expectations placed on women to adhere to traditional household roles. The tension arising from the presence of television in households, as underscored by Spiegel, becomes a pivotal point of analysis. Women were expected to manage household chores, yet the mere presence of a television impeded these tasks. Contemporary magazines reflected this tension, with one suggesting relocating the television to different rooms to enable women to fulfill their household duties without disruption. An additional warning regarding the, “utopian possibilities of fantasy and romantic transport that television might bring to their relatively “inglorious” lives as homemakers, but they also warned that television might wreak havoc on the home and therefore had to be carefully managed and skillfully controlled” (Spiegel “Domestic Economy” 341). This tension heightened as women, increasingly tasked with household responsibilities, isolated themselves from family gatherings while working in the kitchen. As we delve into the impact of television on women and family roles, Spiegel’s work provides a nuanced understanding of the tensions and divisions spurred by this technological marvel. It was unraveling how television transcended mere entertainment, becoming an agent of change that influenced the daily lives of women and contributed to the evolving narrative of family roles in post-World War II America.

A final example of the double-edged impact of television on family life includes unwanted shifting characteristics in children and a sense of pure unity among families. The iconic image of families sitting together and viewing television in complete happiness promoted unity; however, children often viewed television all alone, neglecting far greater aspects of life. In her scholarly article, “Half a Century of Television in the Lives of our Children,” Sonia Livingston highlights these nuanced perspectives. Briefly following the 2nd World War, images depicting children and parents comfortably viewing television surfaced. These images aimed to ignite hope for shared pleasure and, in turn, gradually increase purchasing desire. On the opposite side of the coin, a picture of a “child viewing alone, square-eyed and trancelike, while real life goes on elsewhere” is presented ( Livingston 151-152). Neglecting real life and dismantling the practice of family gatherings for extended periods can only be seen as detrimental to children’s health and future characteristics. Television, at the time, heavily pushed an idealized fiction of life, and constant and early exposure to this sort of life could distort a child’s perception of life. In this manner, television brought a needless possibility of disrupting the developing characteristics of children. Building upon the idea, in an additional study, presented by Richard Fabes in his article, “A Time to Reexamine the Role of Television in Family Life,” the direct effects of television on children are examined. In roughly 65% of cases where parents decline purchase requests, it has been observed that such refusals often escalate into contentious arguments between parents and their children. Furthermore, the insights offered by Goldberg and Gorn in their 1977 study posit that the genesis of negative attitudes toward parents might find its roots in the persuasive influence of television commercials. These findings underscore the complex dynamics at play in parent-child relationships and suggest a potential link between media exposure and the development of certain attitudes within family dynamics ( Fabes 338). Avenues hinting at the likelihood of how parent-child relationships are portrayed in the media, particularly in the context of consumerism, can affect how kids feel and act toward their parents. This realization makes one wonder about the broader social ramifications of media’s impact on family dynamics and what part media literacy plays in fostering stronger family bonds.

As these dots are connected, a resounding synthesis emerges. Once perceived as a source of entertainment, television reveals itself as a cultural juggernaut, redefining family roles, challenging traditions, and influencing societal norms post-World War II. It transcends its status as a mere device, becoming a mediator of aspirations, a mirror reflecting the evolving identity of American families.

An argument relaying that the impact of the television not being universal because of limiting factors such as affordability and accessibility could be made. Though this argument is valid to an extent as not all households post-World War 2 could afford a television set, it is essential to recognize that over time the television became affordable and increasingly accessible to a broader population. Regarding the level of significance, one may argue that the television, rather than creating cultural movements, and affecting familial relations, reinforced existing norms and values. The television both supported pre-existing models and developed new standards. For example, 1960’s shows like, “Star Trek ” specifically challenged racial and gender stereotypes, therefore entirely challenging a previous normality. Additionally, with the presence of the television households families broke long held traditions, the piano being replaced as an example. Several arguments against the transformative impact of television can be made, and though there may be some hint of truth to those arguments, nothing completely refuting the pivotal influence of television can be made. 

Embarking on a transformative journey through post-World War II America, the television created a mosaic of revolutionary impacts. A mosaic that unveils the profound influence of tv on family roles, traditions, and societal norms, weaving together the threads of historical development, familial dynamics, and family roles into a comprehensive tapestry of the television’s transformative role during this pivotal period. From idealized portrayals in sitcoms to influences on children and tensions within households, television emerges as a silent orchestrator of societal change. Firmly entrenched in the domestic sphere, it leaves an indelible mark on post-World War II America’s familial, cultural, and societal landscape. 

 

 

Works Cited 

 

Clifton, Jacob. “How Did World War II Affect Television?” HowStuffWorks, 25 July 2023, people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/tv-and-culture/world-war-ii-affect-television.htm. Accessed 6 Nov. 2023

Fabes, Richard A., et al. “A Time to Reexamine the Role of Television in Family Life.” Family Relations, vol. 38, no. 3, 1989, pp. 337–41. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/585062. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

Livingstone, S. (2009). “Half a Century of Television in the Lives of Our Children.” The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. 625 no 1, pp 151-163. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716209338572 Accessed 6 Nov. 2023 

Mock, Erin L. “The Horror of  “Honey, I’m Home!”: The perils of postwar .” Film & History, vol. 41, no. 2, 2011, pp. 29-50. ProQuest, Accessed 1 Nov. 2023 https://libdatabase.newpaltz.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/horror-honey-im-home-perils-postwar-family-love/docview/909630601/se-2.

Spiegel, Lynn. Make Room for TV : Television and the Family Ideal in Postwar America. University of Chicago Press, 1992, Accessed 5 Nov. 2023

Spiegel, Lynn. “The Domestic Economy of Television Viewing in Postwar America.” Critical Studies in Mass Communication, vol. 6, no. 4, 1989, pp. 337–54, Accessed 5 Nov. 2023 https://doi.org/10.1080/15295038909366761.