# 1957 vs. 2007 **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 14, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938 "2008-08-14T03:23:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/21 "2008-08-14T12:28:53Z")
I’m inclined to agree with **Revenant Threshold**. But in the spirit of trying to be helpful…we have added a few years to the average [life expectancy](http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005140.html) since 1957. You could probably fill up a retaliatory email with medical advances alone. Oh, and cars, notwithstanding the sad stage of artistic design, are a helluva lot safer now. Power, anti-lock, disc brakes; airbags; seatbelts; crumple zones. A year ago I got into a near-head-on at 65 mph in a new Toyota and walked away. Had I been in that gorgeous 57 Chevy, I likely would not have fared as well. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/22 "2008-08-14T13:24:49Z")
[QUOTE=DaphneBlack] Big Red pride nitpick: women have been admitted to Cornell University since the 1880s. [/QUOTE] I’ve never heard Cornell referred to as an Ivy League school. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/23 "2008-08-14T13:36:18Z")
[QUOTE=Boyo Jim] I’ve never heard Cornell referred to as an Ivy League school. [/QUOTE] The “Ivy League” was created as an NCAA athletic conference of elite schools and Cornell is a member and always has been. > **[Ivy League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_League#Conference_facilities)** > > The Ivy League is an American collegiate athletic conference of eight private research universities in the Northeastern United States. It participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, and in football, in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The term Ivy League is used more broadly to refer to the eight schools that belong to the league, which are globally renowned as elite colleges associated with academic excellence, highly selective admissions, and s... ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/24 "2008-08-14T13:39:59Z")
In 1957, everything was made with asbestos and lead paint. (no cite) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/25 "2008-08-14T13:45:15Z")
In 1957, a student raped in class would be accused of lying or provoking the attack. In 2007, she would be encouraged to press charges. In 1957, an unwed pregnant woman would either have to have a wedding or be sent away and give up her baby for adoption. In 2007, she can terminate her pregnancy or keep the child if that is her choice. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/26 "2008-08-14T13:50:00Z")
In 1957 you had to be some sort of war hero to become President. In 2007 you just had to have started one. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/27 "2008-08-14T13:55:04Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] [Teenage pregnancy](http://cc.msnscache.com/cache.aspx?q=73786180377692&setlang=en-US&w=1dbe634e,eefe7cca) [/QUOTE] That doesn’t distinguish between married and unmarried pregnancy. In my view, there’s a huge difference between an unmarried 18-year-old being pregnant and a married 18-year-old being pregnant – more of a difference in 1957, in fact, than today. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/28 "2008-08-14T14:00:44Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] In 1957, a student raped in class would be accused of lying or provoking the attack. In 2007, she would be encouraged to press charges. [/quote] I don’t agree with this. While attitudes towards rape (and proving rape) were much different then, a student raped _in school_ wouldn’t have to deal with much “she was asking for it” in the same way that she would if the issue was date-rape. So if we can extend what you’re saying to rape in general, then I agree; rape in school was however not, in my view, an event likely to be trivialized in that era. > [@](#): > > In 1957, an unwed pregnant woman would either have to have a wedding or be sent away and give up her baby for adoption. In 2007, she can terminate her pregnancy or keep the child if that is her choice. We obviously disagree on the positive value of her being able to terminate the pregnancy. Since this is not a thread about abortion, I’ll just say that it’s not obvious to all readers that this represents a positive change from the 1957 state of affairs. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/29 "2008-08-14T14:08:59Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] That doesn’t distinguish between married and unmarried pregnancy… [/QUOTE] Yes, there are govt. figures which address that. I ran across them several years, but cannot find them back. IIRC, the unwed figures of the late 50’s _were_ higher than today. ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/30 "2008-08-14T14:15:31Z")
One good thing that happened in 57—my hubby was born 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/31 "2008-08-14T14:21:41Z")
In 1957 a man who preyed on young boys was called a homosexual. In 2007 he is called a pedophile. In 1957 a woman who preyed on young boys was considered harmless. In 2007 she is called a pedophile. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/32 "2008-08-14T14:30:49Z")
There was a paddle hanging on the wall of our principal’s office when I was in elementary school, circa 1967-1975. I have no personal knowledge that it was used. In 1957, women could not get a credit card in their own name. Not sure about a bank loan, but I do know there were jobs where their husband’s permission had to be sought. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/33 "2008-08-14T14:44:18Z")
[QUOTE=eleanorigby] In 1957, women could not get a credit card in their own name. Not sure about a bank loan, but I do know there were jobs where their husband’s permission had to be sought. [/QUOTE] Women could not get a bank loan without a male co-signer. This lead to some women bringing in their senile fathers and grandfathers to co-sign. Apparently the only requirement was that the co-signer have a penis! In 1957 fully grown up females were called “girls.” The only fully grown up males called “boys” were the “coloreds.” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/34 "2008-08-14T14:57:09Z")
[QUOTE=Annie-Xmas] In 1957 a woman who preyed on young boys was considered harmless. In 2007 she is called a pedophile. [/QUOTE] I think she’s called a “Cougar” or “Teacher”, and still considered pretty much harmless. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/35 "2008-08-14T15:05:12Z")
[QUOTE=Gatopescado] I think she’s called a “Cougar” or “Teacher”, and still considered pretty much harmless. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] Yep. Sadly enough. In 1957 (or at least in 1967) women who drove to pick their husbands up at the commuter train station slid from behind the wheel into the front passenger seat so that the man could drive home. Ah, memories from my childhood (except my mom did not do this, which is why I noticed the other women doing it. It seemed weird to me. It still does). ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/36 "2008-08-14T15:16:00Z")
In 1957, a baby born a mere 5 weeks early was almost certain to die. In 2007, a baby born 5 weeks early is almost certain to live. Sorry, that’s probably not very exciting to most people. But when I look at poor [Patrick Kennedy’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Bouvier_Kennedy)birth weight in 1963, and think of my own 1 lb 5 ounce baby and look at her running around 3 years later, I’m incredibly grateful for medical advances in preemie care. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/37 "2008-08-14T15:23:34Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] We obviously disagree on the positive value of her being able to terminate the pregnancy. [/QUOTE] How about her ability to have a life after getting pregnant? In the 1950s, a woman’s independent life was pretty much over after getting pregnant: She either quit school and/or work and got married to become a housewife, or she was pretty much a non-entity in the world and relegated to shit work. (“Maternity leave? **You** got knocked up, **you** deal with it… slut.” Maybe not in so many words, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/38 "2008-08-14T15:24:39Z")
Speaking of the Kennedy’s in 1957 cancer was a death sentence. It was considered so shameful to have that people didn’t say “cancer.” Erma Bombeck recalls people saying “He’s very VERY sick.” The second “VERY” implied cancer. Bombeck interviewed Ted Kennedy Jr for her book “I Want To Grow Up, I Want to Grown Hair, I Want to Go to Boise” for the chapter “Is There Life After Cancer?” In 2007, there is! ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/39 "2008-08-14T15:27:18Z")
Re: getting hit in school I was getting hit in school in the 1990s. ---
**Author:** ![Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@Long\_Time\_First\_Time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Long_Time_First_Time)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938/40 "2008-08-14T15:37:25Z")
In 1957, if a baby was born with Down’s syndrome or a similar disability the parents were encouraged to place them in an institution for their entire life and otherwise “forget” about them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1957-vs-2007/459938.md?page=3)