Dance hall days
Subtitle: intimacy and leisure among working-class immigrants in the United States
By: Randy D. McBee.
Publisher: New York University Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 293
Subjects: Sex role -- United States -- History; Man-woman relationships -- United States -- History; Leisure -- United States -- History; Working class -- United States -- History; Immigrants -- United States -- History
Description: "The rise of commercialized leisure coincided with the arrival of millions of immigrants to America's cities. Conflict was inevitable as older generations attempted to preserve their traditions, values, and ethnic identities, while the young sought out the cheap amusements and sexual freedom which the urban landscape offered.

At immigrant picnics, social clubs, and urban dance halls, Randy McBee discovers distinct and highly contested gender lines, proving that the battle between the ages was also one between the sexes."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 279-288) and index.
Table of contents: title: Marriages were a little different then : marriages upon short acquaintance and immigrant, working-class life; title: The era of large ballrooms and famous bands : the rise of commercial leisure and the making of a peer culture; title: The girls here are like crazy : working-class women's heterosocial leisure and homosocial fun; title: That's alright, I have my gang here : working-class male culture and the struggle over gender, identity, and dance; title: And you know the old saying about familiarity breeding contempt : working-class male culture, social clubs, and heterosocial leisure; title: When it comes to my marrying, boy, there will be a lot of strings pulled by my parents : familial conflict, commercial leisure, and weddings.