The Dutch oppressive 1950s

At the time of my birth, the Netherlands was a bourgeois society. There were fixed norms and values and people were very law-abiding. Moderation and diligence were very important. Men worked while women stayed at home and took care of the household and children.  It was the same with my parents. Our family consisted of four people; I have a younger brother.

Austerity

At first, there was no money for vacation or luxury items. My father had been deployed to Indonesia for 3.5 years, so he had had no income for all those years. When he returned, he had to earn everything on his own. In addition, the Netherlands was in ruins and had to be rebuilt quickly at a cost of billions. As a result, there was a long-term spending restriction. Wages were low. Austerity and thrift were considered virtues.

Church

Besides the family, the church had a central place in the lives of most Dutch people. So too in the lives of my parents.

Education

Education between boys and girls differed. Boys were trained for a profession, girls were destined for motherhood and housekeeping.

Emigration

In 1958, nearly 50,000 Dutch people emigrated to North America, Australia, New Zealand and South America partly because there was a population explosion after World War II. Many Dutch people appeared to fear hunger and poverty and overpopulation. Two of my mother’s sisters emigrated to Canada and Australia.

Changes

A process of political, social, artistic and philosophical changes began. In the late 1960s this culminated in de-pillarization, democratization and secularization. The level of education of young people increased and authority relations within the family changed. A command structure gradually changed into a negotiation relationship.

Consumer society

Wages and labor productivity increased, there was far-reaching industrialization, and strong growth in exports led to greater prosperity after 1955. This created greater consumption. More and more households had vacuum cleaners, washing machines, refrigerators and more contemporary furniture. In 1950, 18% of the Dutch went on vacation (mostly in the Netherlands).

Between 1958 – 1962 the free Saturday was introduced. All these innovations and changes encouraged the abandonment of traditions. Johanna