i believe that one can look at that situation in many ways. You can say women were opressed but there were many that believed in the main role of mother and nurturer rather than corporate cutthroat woman. The 40's put women in new roles and in very masculine clothing. In the 50's there was a reverse of this, a return to what they considered the norm and with this came a return of feminity. This is the fashion we are talking about, not oppression. Not only did 50's fashion liberate women in the sense that clothing was freeing and more flowing, but it gave them new purpose and perspective. The clothing shaped their lives, and in this sense the mother's role was mirrored in her clothing. White picket fences are only on television shows. Fashion is real life.