Youth Culture

Objective

Outline the basic elements of mass culture as well as the substance of attacks by critics of mass culture.

Essential Questions

What impact did teenagers have on society?

What struggles did teenagers face during this time period.

Teenagers

Between 13-19 years old.

America is the only country in the world with a term for this age group.

Lots of attention on this group.

Conflict of being their own group and becoming an adult.

Youth Market

Businesses desired their disposable income. Cosmetics, clothing, radios,

phonographs and cars. Elvis was an example of the first

generation of teenagers. Later became a teen idol.

Impact of Teenagers

Parents and teens were estimated to spend billions to fulfill specific needs.

The “secret persuaders.” Determined cultural fads. More teens in school=more

socialization. Beginning to question certain moralities.

Psychologists began focusing on helping parents understand their teenagers.

The Evolution of the Radio

TV replaced radios in home as the primary source of family entertainment.

Portable radios were developed. Radios were now being put in cars. Radio shows developed, with music,

news and djs. Majority of these shows were targeted to

adult males.

African American Influence

Recording companies began recording African American Rhythm and Blues artists. Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Little Richard. These artists began to resonate with

youth culture around the country.

Racism in the Music Industry

Many radio stations refused to play original versions of R&B tracks.

Played covers by white artists. These covers almost always outsold

originals. Set the stage for white rock ‘n’ roll

artists.

Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry

Elvis- Reinvented American popular music. American youth culture symbol.

Chuck Berry Most influential guitarist and great song

writer. Captured teen spirit with humor, irony

and passion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-

J7wz-FZoIA

Almost Grown

Two car families, allowed 16 year olds to earn driving privileges.

Girls maturing faster. Relationships starting at younger

ages. Balanced school, jobs and social life. Rock and roll offered some

sympathy.

Deviance and Delinquency

Many adults held rock ‘n’ roll responsible to decline in parental control over teens.

“The Devils Music” More open expression of sexual

feelings.

Youth Crime

The media reported endless stories of teenagers breaking the law. Gang fights, drug and alcohol abuse,

car theft and sexual abuses. The public was convinced the youth

was terrorizing the country. Crime did spike among youth during

the 1950’s however it was exaggerated.

Culture Shift

Teens were more defined by their peers, rather than their parents.

Parents were losing authority, felt threatened.

Blamed music, speech, style peer and popular culture.

Mass Media played an important role for both sides.

Problem Youth Movies

The Wild One Marlon Brando- leader

of a motorcycle gang. Rebel Without a

Cause Said that parents

could cause delinquency.