Selling Social Security to young people: Today vs. the 1960s

Online news magazine Slate recently posted scans of comic books published by the Social Security Administration in the 1950s and 1960s designed to inform young people about the importance of Social Security – a common strategy to reach youth at that time. Slate writes:

Why should young people care about Social Security? Some of these comics sold the program as a way that the government could help free young people from familial obligation. The crew-cut young men and well-dressed girls wanted to help parents in dire straits, but they shouldn’t have to. Social Security would make sure Tom wouldn’t have to skip engineering school to take over the family farm, and Janet wouldn’t have to postpone her wedding to earn money for her family. (Yes, Janet’s “dream” was marriage, even in a comic published in 1965; the 1950s died hard.)

Here’s one of the comics Slate posted:

social security comic

For a more updated take on Social Security, check out the music video Just Scrap the Cap, also aimed at educating young adults about the importance of Social Security.

  • Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More To Read

September 12, 2023

Everyone Loses Under Washington’s Tax System

Except billionaires. And even they lose.

September 6, 2023

This Washington Shows That Washington: Proposed Federal Overtime Protections Can Go Further

Thanks to the work of advocates, thousands of Washington workers are already getting a better deal at work

August 24, 2023

Is the Wealth Tax Just a Washington Thing?

Multiple states are also fighting to tax the ultra-wealthy. Why now?