Mental Floss

10 Misconceptions About the 1950s

Let’s tear down that white picket fence and debunk some common misconceptions about the 1950s.

By Erin McCarthy

The not-so-commonly-worn poodle skirt and saddle shoes combo. / Michele Quattrin / Getty
The not-so-commonly-worn poodle skirt and saddle shoes combo. / Michele Quattrin / Getty /
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You probably have a pretty clear idea of what a 1950s family looks like: poodle skirts and saddle shoes, drive-ins, diners, and sock hops. Elvis ruled the radio, and on TV, it was all about Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver. 

But decades after the ‘50s have come and gone, pop culture and good old fashioned nostalgia for simpler times have left us with many misconceptions about this so-called golden era. It wasn’t all nuclear families with white picket fences and questionable recipes.

In this latest episode of Misconceptions, we unfold myths about the 1950s like a good old jell-o salad.

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