1950s+Teenagers+TXPT

=Teens During the 1950s=
 * 1) During this time fashion was no longer dictated as it was during WWII. During WWII rationing restricted things such as buttons, pleats, type of cloth, amount of fabric, lengths, widths, pockets, zippers, and the height of heels. Most styles were modled to looked like military uniforms. Teenager's wanted there own style, so thats what they did. They created their own style. Popular styles for women were all of the following: pencil skirts, sweater sets, Coco Chanel's separates and suits, pedal pushers, and even jeans. Boys idoled James Dean who was a rebel, he rod around on motorcycles, wore leather jackets, and grew his hair long. Another popular idol was Elvis Presley with his black hair, flashy clothes, and gyrating hips. Boy teens all dressed and followed after their idols.This was known as the greaser look.
 * 2) The new type of music for the 1950s was rock and roll. Rock and roll was the rythem of black music with a hard driving beat. All teens loved and wanted to listen to rock and roll. Rock and roll was refered to sex in black music. Parents did not like this music at all and they tried many ways to keep there parents from listening to it. Elvis Prestley was the king of rock and roll. He changed the music in america and brought a new style of music to america that teens could not get enough of. He did this by combining elements of African-American rhythm and blues, gospel, and country music.
 * 3) During this era a big thing for teens was to own a automobile or a hot rod. Teens were able to own automobiles because in the 1950s many teens were given allowence. In earlier years teens were not given allowence because families did not have a lot of extra money and the money that they did have would be out in the family budget. Automobiles caused a rise in teenage delinquency. These automobiles were a way for teens to escape the control and authority of their parents. By automobiles being marketed to teens advertising strategists and Hollywood filmmakers were able to popularize rebel stars like James Dean.
 * 4) In the 1930s teen movies were seen as family movies and used teens favorite hero. The 1940s movies were seen as celebrations of family life where teen s and their wise parents live in harmony. Then the 1950s movies came out and they portrayed exactly the opposite. In 1950s movies young boys found new heros who gave you a scence of restlessness and young girls were drawn to vulnerable yet dangerous sexuality of stars such as James Dean. Since teens were attracted to rock and roll, movie makers quickly put big stars in there movies, one example is Elvis.
 * 5) Before WWII teens were expected to take life seriously. Males were expected to join the military or go out and get a job in order to help bring in money for their family or to take care of their future family. After war teenagers where more inclined and encouraged to attend college, find a skill, and seek a successful career. Their parents had more than likely gone through the depression and a number of wars, and now wanted something more for their children.

=Primary Sources=

This was a fashion trend during the 1950s. Girls wore these dog collars around their ankles. If they wore it on their left ankle that ment they had a boyfried and if they wore it on their right ankle that ment they were single.

//BOYS// ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND HUTCHINSON-TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS //Note:// The apparel recommended for boys should be worn in standard fashion with shirts tucked in and buttoned, and ties tied at the neck. Standard of dress for boys, while in school shops or laboratories, should be determined by the school. //GIRLS// ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS
 * Recommended:**
 * 1) Dress shirt and tie or conservative sport shirt and tie with suit jacket, jacket, sport coat, or sweater
 * 2) Standard trousers or khakis; clean and neatly pressed
 * 3) Shoes, clean and polished; white bucks acceptable
 * Not Recommended:**
 * 1) Dungarees or soiled, unpressed khakis
 * 2) T-shirts, sweat shirts
 * 3) Extreme style of shoes, including hobnail or "motorcycle boots"
 * Recommended:**
 * 1) Shirt and tie or sport shirt and tie
 * 2) Sport shirt with sweater or jacket
 * 3) Standard trousers or khakis; clean and neatly pressed
 * 4) Shoes, clean and polished; white bucks acceptable
 * Not Recommended:**
 * 1) Dungarees or soiled, unpressed khakis
 * 2) T-shirts, sweat shirts
 * 3) Extreme styles of shoes, including hobnail or "motorcycle boots"
 * Recommended:**
 * 1) Blouses, sweaters, blouse and sweater, jacket with blouse or sweater
 * 2) Skirts, jumpers, suits or conservative dresses
 * 3) Shoes appropriate to the rest of the costume
 * Not Recommended:**
 * 1) V-neck sweaters without blouse
 * 2) Bermuda shorts, kilts, party-type dresses, slacks of any kind
 * 3) Ornate jewelry
 * 4) T-shirts, sweat shirts

- This shows how schools tried to control what the students we wearing. They did not allow the students to wear what they wanted because they wanted to discourage jucinile delinquency.

During the 1950s teenagers made their own name for themself. They created a social barier between their parents and themself. They discovered many new ways to show their identity. Things like going on dates, going to movies, and making their own fashion statements. They started listening to a new type of music rock and roll, that parents did not like. They were more opened to talking about sex. This was all juvinial behavior. This is how teens lost their innocence.

=Citations= Douglas, Clayton. "Presley, Elvis." //American History Online//. Facts On File News Services, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. <[]?>.

"Dress Code for High School Students in New York.".//American History Online //. Facts On File, Inc. 8 Nov. 2001. <[]>.

Escover, Mattew. "Rock and Roll." //American History Online//. Facts On File News Services, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. []?. "Fashion Trend for Teenage Girls in the 1950s." //American History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. 10 Nov. 2011. [].

Goldberg, David E. "Teenagers, Post-World WAR II." //American History Online//. Facts On File News Services, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. []?.

Gomez, Andrea. "Fashion, Post- World War II." //American History Online//. Facts On File News Services, 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. []?.

 Siegal, Scott, and Barbara Siegal. "Teen Movies." //American History Online//. Facts On File News Services, 2004. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. .