New Rules: America in the Seventies

The seventies were a crucial decade where America underwent fundamental economic restructuring and social experimentation. Unable to solve its problems through political action, Americans looked to personal change and fulfillment.

I. Economic Uncertainty and Social Divisions of the 1970s

-- The Arab Oil Embargo-- Origins of Economic Malaise Structural Problems Debt

International Competition

Energy Dependence

Deindustrialization

-- Economic Stagnation and Poverty Increases.

-- Constricted Federal Budget and Weak Presidents

II. The Me Decade?

-- Turning Inward

-- Family, Divorce, and Sexual Relations

-- Economic Consequences

-- Alternatives

-- Mixed Child Care

-- Child Abuse

-- Sexuality

-- The Assault on Reason, Science and Academia

-- Human Potential Movements

-- Academic Crisis

-- Religion

-- Decline of Mainline Churches

-- Rise of Non-Traditional Churches

-- "I Just Can't Wait Till Saturday" The Disco Phenomenon

-- Origins

-- Appeal

-- Saturday Night Fever

-- Backlash