Livability, Research Paper Example

Abstract

Society has drastically changed since the era of World War II.  The way that people work, shop, and spend leisure time has been significantly altered presently.  As a result society has lost touch with some of the benefits of the former era.  Approaching these areas of analysis, there are some common underlying factors that contribute to these differences.  Technology, and particularly the Internet, has combined with the economy to form these fundamental bases to the differences in these areas.  In identifying these factors, there are some considerations which may be taken into account to realize the advantages of the previous era.  Perhaps today’s society may be able to under root the dependence upon the Internet and technology in general to realize these advantages.  Ultimately it may be up to the population to determine whether such implementations into society will take place.

Livability

The ways in which people work, shop, and play has certainly changes from the period around World War II.  Today there are a number of significant differences that account for these changes.  As will be seen in this discussion, there are some common factors seen, such as the implementation of the Internet and manifestations in the economy.  Perhaps by identifying these changes, society could be able to get back in touch with its past.

Change in Eras

The World War II era in the United States is remarkably different than current times.  As this analysis will approach, there are a number of differences in the work, leisure, and shopping aspects of life during the 1940s.  World War II had a significant impact on some of these areas as well.

Working

The World War II era is very much different than current times in regards to the work environment.  There are some valid areas in which work can be seen in this era.  Certainly in contrast to the wider work landscape of today, due to factors such as the Internet and a more dynamic economy, the World War II era has a number of areas in which work can be seen in the general population.

The workforce population was dramatically altered with the events of World War II.  In the beginning of the War, the United States saw a quick halt to the unemployment problem, in which millions of new jobs were created (Miller and Comford 1995).  In addition to the millions of new jobs that were created, many young men were drafted into the War.  Of course, this will have a number of implications in this analysis, as it certainly affected leisure and working in the United States, in addition to the changes in the work environment during World War II and in the World War II era.

Men leaving for World War II changed the landscape of the workplace as well.  Women were able to become involved in the workplace more than ever before, with 16 million leaving to join World War II (Green 1992).  This altered the root of the workplace drastically, in which women were able to become a distinct part of the workplace.  The presence of the women would be seen throughout the 20^th century into present day.  The events of World War II, and World War I, helped shaped the workplace to allow women to become involved.

In the era of World War II, one distinct area in which the population worked was in labor unions.  This type of workplace was much more common than it is now.  For instance, the Congress of Industrial Organizations, which was formed in 1924, was known as the largest worker organization surge in American history, according to Zeger (1997).  Others, such as the American Federation of Labor, are not well-documented in their activities during World War II (Lichtenstein 2003).

Labor unions were of course integral in World War II.  With the need for raw materials in the War at a high premium, labor unions were in full effect during the War.  However, labor unions were not just a distinct part of the workplace during World War II, but in this general era.  For many of the nation’s residents, labor unions represented a common choice for one to become employed during the duration of one’s life.  In some areas, it was expected that the residents become a part of a labor union and become engaged in a blue-collar occupation.

In these aspects that represent some of the standards during the World War II area, we may now begin to contrast some of these points.  Of course, only a brief analysis can be afforded due to the complex nature of this discussion.  As a result, there are some important generalizations that may be said regarding these points of emphasis.

The workplace has become a center of many new options.  Even leaving out technology for the moment, the location of the workplace has been altered significantly.  Another important standard in the World War II era was the presence of “Mom and Pop stores.”  The presence of these types of shops is a distinct part of the workplace in the previous era.  These shops were able to give a personalized experience to its customers, offering residents a more “at home” experience, and giving shop owners the ability to make their own decisions in how they ran their business (Longenecker 2008).

Such a workplace environment is not as common anymore.  Over the last couple of decades, many such stores are not seen as much.  This is especially true in city and suburban areas, in which smaller stores have difficulties operating.  Larger corporations and stores dominate the workplace in many areas.

One excellent example is seen in the case of Walmart, one of the largest public corporations.  In 2009 alone it grossed $258 billion in sales, according to Zimmerman (2010).  Many studies have analyzed its influence in regards to smaller stores.  For instance, Stone (1997) found that within ten years, some small towns can lose almost half of their retail trade.

Of course there are many other examples available in the business landscape.  The result has seen a more prominent presence of larger organizations.  As a result, many individuals are working for larger companies, companies who employ millions of individuals across a set of skills.

Technology has also changed the landscape of the work setting.  As will be seen in a couple of certain manifestations, technology has altered previous and new jobs.  Workers are seen cooperating with and in the effects of technology.

Workers have felt the effects of technology in certain areas.  Most negatively, from the perspectives of the workers, is the impact technology has had on blue-collar occupations.  In many areas technology has threatened or replaced workers, increasing efficiency and reducing necessary manpower.  In professions such as manufacturing, such dynamics have been seen, where technology has significantly altered the work landscape following the World War II era in the workplace.

One result has seen a fundamental change in the working landscape, where newfound values are seen.  Technology has opened up many career paths that are embraced by workers.  For instance, graphic designers and those working for online businesses, along with countless other professions, are able to be realized.  Certainly technology has altered the work environment in a number of manners.

Leisure

The way people play or have leisure time has also been altered over the years.  Not surprising is the presence of technology in this discussion as well.  The current analysis will take technology prominently in depicting the development of culture since World War II, in regards to leisure.

Although television has been available looking back in the World War II era, it is not as prominent as in today’s society.  According to TVB, 98.9% of households in the United States have at least one television (2010).  As a result this is one area in which leisure time is adapted to current standards.  Television and movies have formed a normal part of society’s leisure time.  Children are now much more dependent upon television and movies, arguably, forming a much different standard in today’s culture.

Increased technology has added to society’s dependence upon television.  Over the past few decades, video cassettes, laserdiscs, digital video discs, and Blu-ray Discs have made their way into people’s homes.  The interest in technology, which can be seen in further perspective with the advances in sound systems, cable, satellite, and other aspects, has significantly altered society’s leisure time.

The Internet in general has once again altered the landscape in these three major areas.  Like the workplace, leisure time is increasingly found on the Internet, drastically contrasting the World War II era, where society was affected greatly by the changes of the war, such as the 16 million men leaving (Green 1992).  In many different manifestations, such as the aforementioned movies and television, such as in games, social networking and communication, and others, society has been affected greatly by the Internet and technology in general.

The result of these developments in the leisure time in society is a sharp transition.  Largely due to technology and the Internet, there are some major differences in the way people spend their free time, and “play,” in society.  Leading to the next area of the analysis, these areas have has a profound influence on the way people shop, which is certainly relevant to the leisure time of people as well.

Shopping

Out of the three major areas that are being analyzed currently, a case could be made for shopping as being the prominent area that has been altered the greatest.  In comparison to the World War II era, shopping has been one of the biggest areas of change.  Once again, technology, and specifically the Internet, has played major roles in the change in shopping habits in today’s society when compared to that in the World War II era, in the physical and virtual shopping environments.

Today a great deal of shopping is done on the Internet.  It is extremely common for consumers to make all types of purchases over the Internet, with the ongoing developing virtual market catering to all types of consumers.  Online shopping can be seen in virtually every regard; for instance, individuals are able to order groceries online.  As aforementioned in the analysis, consumers are able to combine areas in this analysis, by ordering methods of entertainment over the Internet, whether they are physically delivered or conferred electronically in some form, such as a video game or streamed movie.

The environment of shopping in current society has been further affected by the Internet.  Today it is very rare for a major retailer to operate without a website.  Using the previous example, Walmart’s presence can be seen online as well (Stone 1997).  It is often considered negatively in regards to the business environment to do so.  Once again, it is important to note the dependence on the Internet, in this area certainly in shopping.

Shopping has seen yet another change from the World War II era.  Well-developed shopping malls began past the World War II era.  Today they are a distinct part of the shopping environment, and are commonly seen in city and suburban settings.  Representing a one-stop shopping experience for many consumers, shopping malls have risen to prominence over the last few decades.  The presence of shopping malls is vast, with well over 40,000 Major Malls, according to Shopping Center Studies at Eastern Connecticut State University (2009).

These areas of changes have been the reason of the demise of the shopping environment in the World War II era.  The “smaller” feel of shopping in the era from Mom and Pop stores and locally-run businesses has been replaced.  In today’s shopping environment, shopping malls, large retailers and businesses, and the Internet have taken over in these regards.  As a result there is a drastic contrast between the shopping experiences in the World War II era, and those that have manifested today.

Economy

The economy can be seen within the aforementioned changes.  The economy is especially seen in regards to the smaller businesses in the World War II era, and those currently present today.  Certainly the economy is one major foundation for the foundation in the changes of shopping, leisure, and the working environments.

The presence of the large business is perhaps the most definitive aspect of the economy in these regards.  Certainly the big business can be seen in each area of the present analysis: larger businesses offer more opportunities for work, shopping, and have a greater presence for areas of leisure.  Many businesses that operate in the spirit of the World War II era have been abolished with the presence of big businesses.  Their stronghold on the market in certain areas has made existence difficult for other businesses, such as in the well-documented cases for the presence of Walmart in some towns (Stone 1997).

The Internet has also changed the landscape of these areas in regards to the economy.  With an economy that is becoming more dependent on the Internet, it is only reasonable that the leisure, work, and shopping landscapes are becoming further away from those in the World War II era.  This can be seen in many regards; for instance, even banking is performed online to a great extent.  In this regard many local banks have been unable to survive.

Changes Needed to Get Back to Previous Ways

It should first be stated that it would be impossible to drastically arrive at previous ways of life.  At least to any definite extent, it is unreasonable to assume that some of these areas can be altered as they were in the World War II era.  However, there are some ways in which today’s society can realize the benefits of life in the World War II era.

The presence of the small business in America is very difficult.  Measures must be taken to ensure that they are able to compete and survive fairly in the communities around the country.  Although this is not able to be analyzed in the present analysis, there have been some measures to this end.  At any rate, smaller businesses within communities remain an integral part of society, as they have in the World War II era.  Measures must be taken to preserve the advantages of such businesses.

Consumers in this must also support those businesses that represent the lifestyle from the World War II era.  Especially in regards to shopping and leisure, the consumers will dictate the businesses that succeed.  Inevitably consumers must support local businesses if they have any hope of competing with larger retailers and stores.

In regards to entertainment, for instance, there are some definitive steps that could be taken to move away from the dependency on entertainment.  For instance, one pastime that has become less significant is the drive-in movie.  Currently there are significantly less of these types of establishments.  More common are movie theaters, and in regards to the Internet, renting a movie over the Internet is common as well.  Rekindling the small businesses, such as a drive-in movie theatre, in the entertainment aspects of a community, can do a lot to come back to times in the World War II era.  Society need not be too dependent on major businesses, such as the well-documented case of Walmart (Stone 1997)

Ultimately, such proposed ideas are in the hands of the population.  Only society can determine the changes that would lead to the ideals in the World War II era, spanning work, leisure, and shopping.  Clearly the Internet and technology in general represent important and useful differences in the two time periods analyzed here, yet society can make some steps to preserve ideals in the World War II era.

Conclusion

Times have certainly changed in many aspects in today’s society.  From the time of the World War II era, there are a number of changes in the work, shopping, and leisure environments that are seen in society.  These ideals have become lost in comparison to the changes seen in these key areas.

The domination of many big businesses is vital in these discussions.  The economic ramifications on their dominance have caused many small businesses to fold, businesses that are at the heart of the World War II era community.  While steps have taken place to give them a chance, larger corporations continue to grow, providing implications in the work, leisure, and shopping aspects in current society.

The Internet has also significantly altered all of these key areas.  Today many professionals are able to make a living on the Internet, or at least work from home to some degree.  Families do not have to leave their home to rent a movie.  Additionally, individuals can easily order just about anything needed over the Internet to replace their shopping.  Clearly the Internet has transformed society in many of these aspects, once again moving away from some of the ideals in the World War II era.

Some steps can be made to preserve these ideals.  Steps can be foremost made to help small businesses survive in communities across the nation.  However, ultimately, individuals must support and enjoy the ideals that are reminiscent of the World War II era for them to come to fruition.  Perhaps society can enjoy these ideals in conjunction with modern advances.

References

Eastern Connecticut State University. (2009). Shopping Mall Studies. Retrieved from http://nutmeg.easternct.edu/~pocock/Malls.htm.

Green, E. (1992). The Uncertainty of Everyday Life, 1925-1945. Fayatteville, AR: University of Arkansas Press.

Lichtenstein, N. (2003). Labor’s War at Home: The CIO in World War II. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Longenecker, J. G. (2008). Small Business Management: Launching and growing entrepreneurial ventures. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Miller, S. M. and Cornford, D. A. (1995). American Labor in the Era of World War II. Westport, CT: Praeger.

Stone, K. E. (1997). Impact of the Walmart Phenomenon on Rural Communities. Published in Proceedings: Increased understanding of public problems and policies. Chicago, IL: Farm Foundation.

TV Basics (TVB). (2010). “Television Households.” TVB Research Central. Retrieved from http://www.tvb.org/rcentral/mediatrendstrack/tvbasics/02_TVHouseholds.asp.

Zieger, R. H. (1997). The CIO, 1935-1955. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.

Zimmerman, Ann. (2010). “Rival Chains Secretly Fund Opposition to Wal-Mart.” The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704875604575280414218878150.html?