This is an interview for anyone who experienced the 1950's. I need to interview someone for a class assignment but don't have any grandparents or relatives that can help. You may leave as many blank as you want but please leave your name and age. Thank you sooo much!!

The 1950?s: In Your Own Words

1.Was your family anything like the ?classic 1950?s generation? perceived today?
2.How true to modern-day visions of the 1950?s was the actual era, in your opinion?
3.Did you sense an over-all societal pressure to conform? If so, how did it affect you?
4.During your teens, were you more of the rebellious type or would you say you tried to ?fit in with the norm??
5.Overall, would you characterize the decade as one of conformity, quiet individuality or growing rebellion?
6.If you could use one word to describe the decade as a whole, what would it be and why?
7.If you could choose one event that shaped the decade for you, personally, what would it be and why?
8.Did you have any favorite authors or books popular during the 50?s that shaped your life?
9.Would you say there was one book, in particular, that characterized the decade for you?
10.Of these authors: John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, Carl Sandberg, John Hersey and J.D. Salinger, who was you favorite and why?
11.Would you say you identified most strongly with the Beatnik movement, comic-book decline or post-war ?Lost Generation? writers?
12.At the time, would you have been able to predict the eventual effects of the Beatniks on the 1960?s?
13.Would you say authors like Sylvia Plath and Betty Friedan portrayed the role of women in the 50?s accurately?
14.What were your favorite television programs or movies?
15.Did your children have any favorite television programs?
16.Did you forbid your children from watching any specific shows? Why or why not?
17.Was there one show or movie that, in your opinion, exemplifies the 1950?s?
18.How do you think the television improved upon other modes of communication such as the radio?
19.Would you say the television helped or hindered the political process during national elections?
20.What were some popular fashions during the 50?s among the general public?
21.Was there anything you forbade your children from wearing?
22.Did you have a favorite sport or sports team?
23.Would you say that the 1950?s was a decade ruled by athletic dynasties rather than open competition? Why or why not?
24.Would you agree that the general public viewed baseball as the nation?s pastime? Why do or don?t you think so?
25.Which genre of music did you identify with during the 1950?s?
26.Which genre, on your opinion, exemplified the 1950?s most tellingly?
27.Is there one specific song that, for you, portrays that decade in a true light?
28.Would you say you were a fan of Rock & Roll?
29.How did the general public or your age group react to the new wave of ?black music aimed at white audiences? in the form of Rock & Roll? 
30.Would you say that Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins? radical music contributed to the Civil Rights movement or aggravated it, in your opinion?
31.Did you come into contact with any Civil Rights issues or events?
32.Would you say the country was split on the issue at the time?
33.What do you think was the major turning point in the fight for civil rights?
34.At the time, did you think the Civil Rights movement would be a success? Why or why not?
35.To what extent did the Civil Right movement affect you or your surroundings personally?
36.What was it like during the Cold War with the looming threat of nuclear war?
37.What precautions were taken by the nation or your community against the threat of war?
38.How aware would you say the public was about international dealings with the USSR and communism abroad?
39.Do you remember how you or the people around you felt after the Sputnik incident?
40.Would you say that was the first time the Cold War really hit home? 
41.What did you initially think of McCarthy?s communist ?witch hunt??
42.Would you agree that the nation was ?seeing red? and caught in hysteria?
43.To what extent would you say the fear of communism in the United States? or in the U.S. government directly affected you or the people around you?
44.How aware do you think you and the general public were about what was going on internationally in the Europe and Asia?
45.How did you feel, personally, about the United States? involvement in Asia throughout the Korean War?
46.Were you, or did you know anyone who was drafted during the Korean or Cold Wars?
47.What was the general reaction to the military draft?
48.To what extent did the public support the U.S. government and its troops during the Korean War?
49.By the war?s end, did the public general views change? Why or why not?
50.How would you say the welcoming home of troops differed from that of World War II?

 

Thanks Tilly! Yeah, I posted this in a couple forums and even asked my friends' grandparents so I've got a couple back-up plans. I didn't realize this website was based in the UK though. Whoops! LOL. Have a good week .