The political climate of the 1950s had a notable effect on the cultural view of gender roles and family. Because of the Cold War with Russia, it was viewed as vital that men and women acted in a way that didn’t indirectly or directly hinder America’s engagement in the conflict. Due to what was viewed as an imminent threat of atomic warfare, women were required to be housekeepers and provide relief, shelter and food for their families if a bomb exploded. There was an expectancy that they would marry at a young age, bear numerous children and only engage in sexual intercourse with their husbands. Men were demanded to be masculine, heterosexual and be the primary financial provider for the family. Young boys were to be brought up in a way which
