"We have to move. My husband's been transferred to Southern California."

Discuss the issue of mobility among American Suburbanites?

How does the sometimes transient nature of the suburban lifestyle impact the nuclear family? What about the extended family? How might it alter one's sense of belonging?

Discuss how the whole issue of "resale value" is more a suburban than urban phenomenon.

How would this family's homemade "for sale by owner" poster fare in today's housing market?

"Every year I go to my mother-in-law's for thanksgiving and every year I swear I'll never do it again. But I always do, do it again."

Do you think holidays in 2010 are any less stressful than in the 1970's? What makes them so stressful?

Discuss the risk of experiencing "unfulfilled expectations" when extended family gets together for the holidays.

Are family traditions always as joyous as they are portrayed by the instigator? Does your family have any traditions that you wish would simply disappear?

As the men tend the children and relax after the holiday meal, what do you suppose the women are doing?

How do children view holiday gatherings differently than their adult counterparts?

"We really enjoy getting together with our friends to drink and dance. It's a wild party and we're having a great time."

Does this look like a typical gathering of young adults in Utah Valley?

How do 20-something friends typically socialize in 2010? How you do socialize with your friends?

What do you think constitutes a "wild party", as referred to in the caption?

Based on their facial expressions and body language, how does this couple feel about the success of their party? How might they feel about showing off what is probably their first home in the suburbs?

 

"I believe in woman's liberation. I'm tired of the image of the woman of the most sanitary toilet bowl, the cleanest floor, and the brattiest kids as the supermother. I want to be able to change with my children and to change with my life as I grow older. Staying at home and taking care of the kids doesn't help."

Before reading the caption, make up your own caption based on this image. Now, as you read the real caption, does it fit with your interpretation of this domestic scene?

What complexities does this caption reveal about the woman's movement during the early 70's? Are women today still grappling with some of these same issues?

Does this woman's logic hold, or are there some inherent contradictions in her argument?

Considering the tone of the caption, how would you interpret the print above the fireplace?

Do you find some symbolism in the fact that the family room curtains are closed to the outside world?

"I like the suburbs. They provide Girl Scouts, PTA, Little League, and soccer for my kids. The thing I miss most is Black cultural identity for my family. White middle-class suburbia can't supply that. Here the biggest cultural happening has been the opening of two department stores."

 Based on this caption, discuss the advantages for children and mothers living in the suburbs.

Do you think that the suburbs, by their very nature, are largely devoid of cultural diversity?

Discuss the difficulty encountered by racial minorities in the suburbs as they attempt to hold on to their cultural heritage.

How would you handle the pressure and complexities of being the only racially distinct family in your community?

What does this woman imply about the opportunities for cultural and social activities in her community? Are the suburbs of today so sterile?

"I wanted Christina to learn some responsibility for cleaning her room, but it didn't work."

Is a child from suburbia less likely to have a messy room than a child raised in the city? Is today's child more tidy than a 70s child? Discuss all parents' daunting mission to teach their children responsibility.

What might this image say about materialism and indulging our children with too much stuff?

Based on the angle of the photo, how do we get the impression that the caption is being voiced of a parent?

Does the child's direct gaze at the viewer indicate that she is intimidated by the task at hand?

"I enjoy giving a Tupperware party in my home. It gives me a chance to talk to my friends. But really, Tupperwear is a homemaker's dream, you save time and money because your food keeps longer."

What are the various reasons women might participate in a business run largely from their homes? (extra spending money, socialization, boredom, ect.)

Are such cottage industries as prevalent today as they were in the 1970s?

Forty years ago, were men as likely to run their businesses from home? What about today?

Such parties are designed to make us think that we can't live without these products. Come to think of it, how did we ever live without Tupperwear?

Based on the body language of this Tupperwear lady's captive audience, are they sold on the product?

 Discuss the clothing, hair styles, and 70s room decor.