How Did The Radio Influence American Culture In The 1930's

The 1930s on the other hand was a decade plagued by the Great Depression. Many Americans were forced to give up the many luxuries that were making life so much easier. America returned to a more traditional society as women were forced out of their jobs so that men could take their place. Unemployment reached an all-time high so many women found themselves back at home. Society became much more conservative with the less leisure time. To many Americans delight alcohol was again made legal to drink in the United States in 1933. It was thought that producing and selling alcohol would create more jobs and help boost the economy. This dramatic shift in American society halted the creativity and leisure among people and in turn halted much of consumerism. Instead of appealing to the high ends of society, artists and writers were more focused on appealing to the common man. Every effort made at creativity seemed to be in attempt to unite society in this time of peril. The bleak economic situation closed the …show more content…
Radio at this time played a large importance in American culture through this time of depression in America. Society found their escape from the harsh reality in 1932 when Jack Benny’s radio program allowed for a large audience to be captured each episode in comedy and relatable stories. These radio shows avoided content that might offend people in order to apply to the larger audience and keep Americans feeling together in this time of struggle. Radio shows such as the Jack Benny’s would use its platform to address issues that many people were feeling including thoughts surrounding consumerism. Throughout the episodes Jack refuses to buy various consumer products which “expressed many listeners’ anxieties about their inability to consume or about their temptations to overconsumption” (McFadden,