Women's roles and status took a giant step backwards during the 1950s when, after significant loss of life during World War Two, Americans encouraged a baby boom generation. Consumerism, and the "cult of the ideal female" shaped women's roles during the 1950s. Women who had gained much in terms of social and financial independence found themselves in a dual role as idealized domestic servant and as common laborer. Women were discouraged to break free from their ascribed social roles and conformity became the norm during the socially conservative 1950s.

However, the fervor of this movement died down in the mid to late 1970s and once again conservatism spread throughout the nation. During the 1980s, Reagan and his social policies again contracted and diminished the status of women in society. Role models like Nancy Reagan promoted the ideal that was popularized during the 1

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Approximate Word count = 591
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)