Changes in Youth Culture 1945-2000

Question 1

The 1950’s - emergence of teenager and teenage rebellion

Answer 1

• The teenager of the 1950’s had more money and free time than ever before and many seemed to want to rebel, especially against whatever their parents believed in.
• Some rebellious teens wore distinctive clothes, formed gangs, drank heavily and attacked property; those who dropped out of conventional society became known as beatnicks.
• Many teenagers were influenced by youth films of the 1950’s such as Rebel Without a Cause, which made a cult hero out of James Dean who was playing a rebellious young man.
• The development of Rock and roll music gave teenagers their own brand of of music. Stars like Elvis Presley became heroes. Many parents disliked Presley’s energetic dancing and upfront sexuality.

Question 2

1960’s - hippy movement

Answer 2

• During the 1960’s many young people rejected their parents lifestyle and values. Some dropped out of society and became hippies who wore flowery clothes, grew their hair out long and took recreational drugs.
• Hippies opposed the Vietnam, wore flowers in their hair as a symbol of peace and their slogan was “Make love, not war”.
• They settled in communes and San Francisco became the hippy capital of America.

Question 3

1960’s - student protests

Answer 3

• Students demanded greater freedom in everything they did.
• Many students campaigned for civil rights and took part in freedom marches, freedom rides and sit-ins protests of the early 1960’s.
• Many students protested against the war in Vietnam and especially the ‘draft system’ which called upon the to fight.The anti-war protests were being encouraged by popular musicians of the 1960’s such as Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix.

Question 4

1970’s to 2000 - developments in popular music

Answer 4

• 1970’s witnessed the rise of disco music through such performers as the Bee Gees and the Jacksons. The film Saturday Night Fever (1977) witnessed the height of disco fever.
• Rap and Hip-Hop music developed out of the disco music of the 1970’s and was a product of inner city problem areas with high unemployment among young black Americans.
• During the 1990’s, artists/bands such as Jay-Z, Ice-T and the Fugees all achieved great chart success.