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ProfessorGAC

(74,080 posts)

14. Chicago?

Reply to Lithos (Reply #6)

Wed Aug 13, 2025, 06:48 PM

Aug 13

In the 50s?
The workforce in Chicago was heavily union, as well as most of the entire Chicago market.
During the 50s, at least 30 cities popped up where none existed as suburbs were developed given the middle class buying power.
My dad came back from the army (occupying troops in post-war Italy) in '52.
He got a job at a dairy paying $6,500 at the entry level. That would be $78,000 for an entryl level job.
HS diploma, one year of seminary college, and an entry level job for today's equivalent of near 80 grand.
My mom worked as an executive secretary making today's equivalent of about $52,000, for a woman in the 50s.
I think your anecdotal information is wildly inaccurate. Idaho is Idaho, but you extended it to Chicago which is silly.

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in your opinion , what was special about the 1950s culture ? i see it romatascied in the movies . thanks. [View all] AllaN01Bear Aug 13 OP

Strong unions, strong middle class Fiendish Thingy Aug 13 #1

Relief they had survived the war bucolic_frolic Aug 13 #2

Economy was good as most of our rivals were bombed into ruins MichMan Aug 13 #3

The wartime collaborations between the government, universities and industry led to new discoveries. yardwork Aug 13 #4

Financially strong, no war (except that little police action in Korea) chowmama Aug 13 #5

Depends on where you are at in the world. Lithos Aug 13 #6

You're right that it wasn't great for everyone, but I think one thing we had was hope that things would get better, CrispyQ Aug 13 #9

Chicago? ProfessorGAC Aug 13 #14

The good life really was white only in the 1950s in Chicago Lithos Aug 13 #15

I Lived In An Integrated City ProfessorGAC Aug 13 #16

They miss the economy more than anything. CrispyQ Aug 13 #7

long before that according to my late mom who was k1 teacher . thatt really rilled her up AllaN01Bear Aug 13 #8

It was a simpler time when all was well underpants Aug 13 #10

I wasn't born until 1962, Americanme Aug 13 #11

thanks for your insight. AllaN01Bear Aug 13 #12

"Special" covers a multitude of sins. malthaussen Aug 13 #13

Not much Oeditpus Rex Aug 13 #17

I was born in 1945, so the fifties were all I knew, so I'd be hard put to see anything special about them. soldierant Aug 13 #18

I love 40s and 50s fashion. Rizen Aug 13 #19

I love the women's fashions as well. Coventina Aug 14 #21

You need to check out the dress fiend. She is an amazing collector ms liberty Aug 14 #27

Check out the dress fiend, she's got an amazing collection! ms liberty Aug 14 #28

Are you kidding? What was special? hamsterjill Aug 13 #20

The term 'muscle car' Oeditpus Rex Aug 14 #22

Leave it to DU to argue semantics hamsterjill Aug 14 #23

Not semantics and not an argument Oeditpus Rex Aug 14 #24

It was hard at times for my mom. I was a kid. Dad was abusive. TommieMommy Aug 14 #25

In school, practicing for nuclear war, getting under your desk, putting your head between your knees, and... surfered Aug 14 #26

Our impression of the 50s comes mainly from the movies and TV LogDog75 Aug 14 #29

"The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein Freddie Aug 14 #30

White men were in charge dlk Aug 14 #31