Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era

overprotective mothers guilty of “Momism,”

enormous difficulties if they hoped to combine a career with marriage.

She wrote of going to an alumnae counselor who told her, “Go back to your kitchen and stay there and make jam!”

The criticism of women’s sexuality and employment was aimed at married as well as single women.

recognize their increasing sexual and economic emancipation, but to channel those energies into the family.

The sexual containment ideology was rooted in widely accepted gender roles that defined men as breadwinners and women as mothers.

Russians could destroy the United States not only by atomic attack but through internal subversion.

There would develop among many people, especially youths . . . the reckless psychological state often seen following great disasters.”

I chose security over everything else.”