Dress Code:
* Stricter standards: Dress codes were significantly stricter than today. Girls typically wore skirts or dresses, often with specific length requirements (often below the knee). Boys wore shirts and trousers. Showing too much skin (shoulders, knees) was unacceptable. Clothing deemed "too flashy" or "unconventional" was prohibited.
* Neatness emphasized: Hair was expected to be neat and tidy. Girls often wore their hair in braids, ponytails, or other conservative styles. Boys' hair needed to be short.
* Uniformity in some schools: Some schools, particularly private or parochial schools, required uniforms.
Behavior and Discipline:
* Respect for authority: Respect for teachers and administrators was paramount. Disrespectful behavior, such as talking back or challenging authority, was severely punished.
* Corporal punishment: Physical punishment, such as paddling or spanking, was common and often accepted as a normal part of school discipline.
* Strict rules against lateness and absences: Punctuality was highly valued. Excessive tardiness or absences resulted in consequences.
* Quiet and orderly classrooms: Classrooms were expected to be quiet and orderly environments, with minimal disruption allowed.
* Limited student expression: Students had little opportunity to express their opinions or challenge established norms. Open dissent was usually discouraged.
* Gender roles reinforced: School activities and expectations often reinforced traditional gender roles. Boys were often channeled into athletics and vocational training, while girls were steered towards home economics and other traditionally female pursuits.
* Segregation: In many parts of the country, schools were still racially segregated.
Other Rules:
* No chewing gum: Chewing gum was often forbidden.
* Limited extracurricular activities: The range of extracurricular activities varied, but it was generally less extensive than it is today.
* Strict attendance policies: Students were expected to attend school regularly.
It's crucial to remember that these were generalizations. Individual schools and communities had variations in their rules and enforcement. The extent of strictness could also differ based on factors like socioeconomic status and location. The 1950s were a time of significant social change, and the rules reflected the conservative societal values prevalent at that time.