New Job Opportunities & The Spread of Wealth
In the 1950s large corporations, which offered these “white collar” jobs, grew. For example, insurance companies, advertising companies, or product producing companies would expand their sales departments. In this new “white collar” world, corporate leaders began to expect their employees to conform to company standards, which could include dress, actions, speech and even social associations. Many corporations did not value free thinkers but rather those who followed the rules. “The Company Man” became a (archetype or stereotype) in 1950s American culture and critics warned that this image was aiding in pushing society toward conformity.