Final answer:
The 1950s suburban married life was defined by traditional gender roles, which often left women isolated and with limited opportunities, despite the overall portrayal of the suburbs as an embodiment of the American dream.
Step-by-step explanation:
A feature of suburban married life during the 1950s that stands out was characterized by a reinforcement of traditional gender roles, where the husband was commonly the breadwinner and the wife the homemaker. This reinforced conformity in societal norms, with a strong emphasis on marriage and raising children. Suburban expansion facilitated this lifestyle by offering attractive environs for family living, away from the city's chaos. However, for many women, this could lead to feelings of isolation, dependence, and limited personal fulfillment.
Despite the idyllic depiction of suburban life in media, many suburban women struggled with a lack of personal mobility, few career opportunities, and little of their own money. This made it harder for some to leave unsatisfying or abusive marriages. Nonetheless, the rise of suburbs, the increase in homeownership, and the financial incentives to promote suburban living embodied the pursuit of the American dream for many families.
The 1950s were, indeed, a decade of peace, prosperity, and high marriage rates. The increase in suburban living came alongside a change where more Americans were employed in white-collar jobs. This shift also increased the reliance on the automobile and consumption patterns geared towards convenience.