Download America 1950 vs. America Today

Which version of America would you
rather live in?
 Many
fondly remember the 1950s and the
1960s as the "golden age" of America
(especially if you were a white male).
• U.S. emerged from World War II as the wealthiest and
most powerful nation on the planet
• Most of the rest of the world deeply admired the U.S.
and wanted to be more like Americans.
 Of
course there were a lot of things that were
not great about America back in 1950, and
there are many things that many of us dearly
love that we would have to give up in order to
go back and live during that time.
• For example, there was no Internet back in 1950.
America
1950 vs.
America 2016 - you
make the call....
 In
1950, a gallon of gasoline cost about 27
cents.
 In
2016, a gallon of gasoline costs $2.39.
[after dropping – and then rising significantly recently]
 In
1950, the average duration of
unemployment was about 12 weeks.
 In
2016, the average duration of
unemployment is about 40 weeks.
 In
1950, the average family spent about 22%
of its income on housing.
 In
2016, the average family spends about
43% of its income on housing.
 In
1950, gum chewing and talking in class
were some of the major disciplinary
problems in schools.
 In
2016, many public schools have been
equipped with metal detectors because
violence has become so bad.
 In
1950, the United States was #1 in GDP
per capita.
 In
2016, the United States is #13 in GDP per
capita.
 In
1950, about 13 million Americans had
manufacturing jobs.
 In
2016, less than 12 million Americans have
manufacturing jobs even though our
population has more than doubled since
1950.
 In
1950, corporate taxes accounted for
about 32% of all federal revenue.
 In
2016, corporate taxes will account for less
than 11% of all federal revenue.
 In
1950, the median age at first marriage
was about 22 for men and about 20 for
women.
 In
2016, the median age at first marriage is
about 28 for men and about 26 for women.
 In
1950, many Americans regularly left their
cars and the front doors of their homes
unlocked.
 In
2016, many Americans live with steel bars
on their windows and gun sales are at record
highs.
 In
1950, the United States loaned more
money to the rest of the world than anybody
else.
 In
2016, the United States owes more money
to the rest of the world than anybody else.
 In
1950, the U.S. national debt was about
257 billion dollars.
 In
2016, the U.S. national debt is over 60
times larger. It is currently sitting at a grand
total of $19,___,___,___,___.__.
 Americans
today have a higher standard of
living than Americans in 1950 did, but they
are also drowning in an ocean of debt unlike
anything the world has ever seen.
 Americans
are more independent, less
religious, more addicted to sports and
entertainment and more doped up on
prescription drugs than Americans used to
be.
 So
is America 2016 a better version than
America 1950 was?
 Complete
the American Jobs – Then & Now
worksheet posted on the website