Final answer:
Many Americans experienced increased disposable income and leisure time post-World War II, leading to more time spent on entertainment such as professional sports, television, reading, and movies.
Step-by-step explanation:
After World War II, many Americans found themselves with more disposable income and leisure time. This was partly due to labor-saving devices that reduced time spent on household chores, a growing economy, and the labor movement's achievements like paid vacations and forty-hour workweeks. Americans' newfound time and money greatly influenced how they spent their leisure time.
Changes in Entertainment
Professional sports, particularly baseball, football, and basketball, saw increased support and attendance. The breaking of the color line in Major League Baseball by Jackie Robinson was a significant event. Additionally, television ownership skyrocketed, with TV Guide becoming one of the nation's best-selling magazines. Reading also became a popular pastime, with the paperback market thriving and sales of popular magazines and comic books peaking.
By the 1960s, a sizable portion of the population resided in suburbs, and families enjoyed higher incomes. This economic prosperity translated to even more ownership of labor-saving appliances and cars, and entertainment spending doubled. Movies, sports, family vacations, and television watching became regular features of American life, reflecting the era's leisure and consumption patterns.