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If you study the history of the 1950s, you will often read how measures of happiness and life satisfaction were the highest ever in America. Indeed, one of the most successful sitcoms of all time took place in this era and was named Happy Days. What made it so great? Certainly the economy was booming and unemployment was low, but by any economic measure, life was nowhere near what we have today. Success back then was maybe a small house, one car, one TV, and regular food on the table. Nowadays, the average household has 5-10 electronic devices. Houses are bigger. Families have multiple cars and have infinitely more travel options. Entertainment and educational options are limitless. Incomes and retirement accounts are several times bigger. Yet, happiness measures of Americans are near historic lows. So, what gives?

While tighter families and simplified life can partially explain the happiness gap of the 1950s, there is a much bigger reason why it beats all other decades: comparison/frame of reference. First of all, consider the two decades that preceded the 1950s. Americans dealt with the total misery and deprivation of the Great Depression, follow by the sacrifices and existential fear of World War II. So, a stable job, spending money, new entertainment options, and minimal stress seemed like heaven when compared to the frame of reference of previous years. Second, the top marginal income tax rate was 91 percent, so the government was effectively preventing people from getting rich. This stifled innovation, productivity, and growth; however, there were very few rich people to envy. Few in your neighborhood were doing better than you, so there was less jealously and perceived inadequacy at your own economic situation.

The 1950s were far from perfect, though. Racism was still rampant. Cold War fears kept people on edge. A war in Korea cost the lives of 33,000 soldiers. Yet, Americans perceived their lives to be great simply by optimal frames of reference. Compare that to today. As mentioned, every tangible measure of success is greater. Real income levels have risen dramatically at all levels. However, now the comparisons of people supposedly doing better than you are everywhere, exasperated by social media. We may have everything we could ever want or need material wise, but when neighbors or friends have cooler cars, own bigger houses, earn higher salaries, take fancier trips, etc. we feel like failures.

So, maybe the secret to 1950s-like happiness is nothing more than choosing new frames of reference, or even better, stop all comparisons to others entirely.

Blog Link: https://educationdojo.com/study-break/2025/06/06-03-education-dojo-daily/#random_thoughts

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