1950's+Teenagers+PABP

1950's Teenagers PABP 5 Facts
1. During the 1950's, fashion was one of the many ways teenagers decided to express themselves. Back then, most teenagers broke out into two main styles, Greasers and Preps. The Greasers took on the leather jackets and the blue denim jeans, and were often seen on motorbikes racing across town. Greasers had hair slicked back with grease and were not to keen on neatness, such as the Preps. Most adults thought their children were being outrageous and unsafe. Being a Greaser was one way that teens were able to express themselves. The Preps were all about neatness and order. Most of the preppy girls wore circle skirts with an embellishments on the side. Pleated skirts were also accustom to them. Pleated skirts were made from a new fabric called polyester, which made sure the pleats were sharp. On the upper half of their body, girls wore scoop neck blouses as well as scarves with fitted shirts with 3-quarter length sleeves. The preppy boys usually wore a blazer with a narrow tie and sometimes suede shoes. Their outfit was always neat and pressed, and their hair was clean cut.

2. Teen dances were popular in the 1950's before they were eventually shut down. Teen dances were a way that teens could express themselves by dancing and chatting among their peers. Often times, the dances were held at schools or in local areas. Each teen danced in their own way according to what their peers were doing in their community. In some communities, dancing was wild, and in others, it was smooth and calm. As Rock n' Roll developed, teens weren't dancing like their parents, their dance was more swing-based and teens sought out dance moves from African American teens or people. Dancing was a way that teens could be free but most of their parents did not agree with their dancing, and viewed it as acts of rebelliousness. Teen dances were shut down because Rock n' Roll was being played and parents feared that their children wouldn't have much control over what their children did.

3. Being a teenager before the 1950's meant that you had to take things seriously. After WWII teen males were expected to join the military or get a job to help support their future family. You had to take life seriously. Teen girls were expected to prepare for marriage and having children. Teens had to conform to what society expected them to be, since their was not much else for them to do. In the 1950's, teens started to have more freedoms and decisions of their own. New media came out that appealed to them, which they hadn't had before. Since families wanted more for their children, they moved out to the suburbs, made more money, and gave teens spending money and more time to spend with their peers. Obviously this created some problems, and society started to look down upon teens and their ways. A music genre labeled Rock n' Roll came out, and teens flocked to it. They were starting to create some sense of who they were.

4. During the 1950's, teens started to date and ignore the traditional way of "going steady" and the steps to that process. "Going steady" usually meant that two people were on a path to marriage, but during the fifties, the term was used loosely. Dating was important about teens in the fifties because it was present in many places. Films about dating were shown in school guided by adult views. If any boundaries of dating were broken then there would be consequences. Films were also depicting sex in a negative way, showing teens that they could get diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Still, teens proceeded to date and step outside of traditional customs. Since their new found independence, teens were getting involved in more sexual acts. However, virginity was something to still be maintained despite the pressure put upon teen girls. If they lost it, it was tragic, as they knew they would make their parents highly upset if they ever found out. Not to mention her future husband. Automobiles made "exploration" more private as teens were old enough to drive. Adults tried to stop that type of exploration from happening, so they set up patrol car watches to watch over cars and possible teen exploration.

5. Rock n' Roll touches each aspect of teen life. Many stars made Rock n' Roll popular, but the most famous one was Elvis Presley. Many teens took to Presley's music because he was young and had a great voice. This new genre, Rock n' Roll became popular easily because of stars like Elvis. Many teens adjusted their fashion to copy what he was wearing. Rock n' Roll made teens act out and this made adults put an end to the music. There were plenty of incidents where teens acted out in revolt and 25 teens were sent to the hospital. Riots broke out in dance halls and other places where Rock n' Roll was being played. Still, teens continued to go against their parent's wishes and listen to this "dreadful" music. This new type of music made teens feel like they had freedom and a genre of music for just them.