1950s+Teenagers+NJSF

Sarah Fazekas Mrs. Lamanteer Humanities 14 November 2011

¨ The 1950's created a wide variety of original and unique styles that no one had ever seen before. Fashion became very popular for teens during this time, it was one of their ways of finding a sense of who they were.The most notorious styles known by teenagers in the 50s were the Greasers and Preps. They were portrayed best in the musical, //Grease////. Even though the movie came out in// 1978, it was based on teens and the way the acted in the 1950’s.The Greasers wore the leather jackets, leather boots, blue denim jeans and white t-shirts. They also would have their hair greased back and away from their faces. The greaser ladies, also known as pink ladies, wore mainly tight fitting clothes and had their own jackets. The “greaser” look didn’t take long to became the symbol of teenage rebellion for boys everywhere. The preps were totally different from the greasers. They were portrayed as the “perfect children,” and they were loved by all adults. The prep girls’ outfits consisted mainly of circle skirts with embellishments on the side and scoop neck blouses as well as scarves. The prep boys’ would usually ware blazers with a narrow tie and sometimes suede shoes. Their outfits were always clean-cut and neat and their hair was clean cut.

¨ In the 1950s, a new type of music came out called rock ‘n’ roll. Teens became very interested in the new music and embraced it with open arms. The relative lyrics and catchy rhythm really spoke to teens, especially music composed by Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and most of all Elvis Presley. They became wildly popular among the youth and were loved deeply. Although they were loved by teens, adults hated them. They saw them as huge threats and thought it was the devil’s music. In fear that their children would turn into rebels, rock ‘n’ roll was banned and in some cases parents would destroy the records. Even though teens weren’t permitted to listen to it, they would go and find ways to cure their need for rock ‘n’ roll. They weren’t going to let something like their parents get in the way of them expressing themselves and having fun.

¨ As if the music wasn’t enough, teens also found dancing as another way to rebel. Dance was a way for teens to let go of all their energy and express themselves in their own, unique way. Teens weren’t dancing like their parents though. Their dancing was based more on them swinging their hips than waltzing. They were tired of their parents constantly wanted them to do as they were told. As a way of rebelling, teens created new dances moves that went along with their new music, rock ‘n’ roll. A couple of the dances made up were called bop, swing, the jitterbug, and boogie-woogie. Through dancing teens were able to express themselves, and it gave them something to do when they were listening to their music. Parents didn’t agree with their style of music/dance, and felt like they were losing control over their children.

¨ Being a teen in the 1950’s was tough, especially for the men. They had several rules that they had to follow to the T. For example, after WWII, teen males were expected to get a job or join the military. Also, whether they were in the military or not, men had to have their hair in military styled cuts because their hair couldn’t touch their ears. In some parts of the country it was even illegal for a male to have hair longer then a military cut. Men were inspired with hairstyles from famous people such as James Stewart and Elvis Presley. Teen girls didn’t have it to easy either. They were taught while growing up to prepare for when they are married and have a family. A woman going to school and getting and education for themselves was barley ever seen.

¨ The concept of “going steady” took on a new meaning in the 1950s. Before the war, “going steady” was serious, it was usually the stage people took if they were thinking about getting married. However after the war, people were more care free using the term. Dating was important to teens in the 50s cause it was a way for them to be with each other without their parents. The also had many options when it came to a couple looking for a good time. The most popular places where the cheap, but fun places. For example, ice cream parlors, pizza parlors, drive-ins, bowling alleys, coffee houses, and record shops. Teens changed the entire meaning of dating in the 50s and some of the rules they made up then are still applied today.

__Primary Documents__



In the 1950s, when you heard people talking about The King of Rock, they were talking about the one and only, Elvis Presley. Elvis was the first real rock and roll star. He brought together music from both sides of the color line with his voice of a black man and image of a white man. He performed his music with swinging hips and a sexy voice, making him a teen idol for generations of cool rebels. For adults, Elvis was viewed as barbaric, crude and a bad influence and they did not agree with their children listening to “the devils music.” However, his music will forever be known as an image that showed the music world, it was time for a change.

**Dress Code for High School Students in New York (1956)**  **Board of Education, Buffalo, New YorK**   **January 24, 1956**   //BOYS//   ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND   HUTCHINSON-TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL


 * 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"

VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS


 * 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"

//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) 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

In the 1950s, the rise of the new youth culture scared many adults. They feared that the new found culture would increase the number of juvenile and disrespected children. They believed that in order to maintain control and discourage bad behavior, public schools across the country had to establish dress codes. For boys, blue jeans, t-shirts, and motorcycle boots were not permitted, instead sport coats and ties took their place. Girls were not allowed to wear slacks because they were deemed unfeminine. The dress code outlined above was adopted by the state of New York in 1956 to enforce these rules.

In the 1950 s, the independence and freedom of teenagers coexisted with the increase in a rise in juvenile crime, sexual experimentation, and a general atmosphere of rebellion. Many say that the increase in teenage delinquency can be traced back to the several new cultural scenes that teens in the 50s experienced. Rock ‘n’ roll, dirty dancing, and dating were just some of the ways teens rebelled against the rules. Even though it was a form of rebellion, things such as fashion and music did help develop identities for teens. They stopped following their parents’ wishes and came up with things that helped define them. Parents didn’t not approve whatsoever with the new independent spirit that their children were trying to get hold of. If the teens in the 50s continued to do what they were told instead of going out and finding themselves, our society would not be the way it is today.

__Works cited __ “Fashions in the 1950s”

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“Fashion in the 1950s” //Sara Buttar//

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“The 1950’s” //Capistrano School//

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“Teen dances of the 1950s”

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“Teenage dating in the 1950s”

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"Dress Code for High School Students in New York." //American History Online//. Facts On File, Inc. []? ItemID=WE52&iPin=E14091&SingleRecord=True (accessed November 16, 2011).