Jim Stark's Rebel Without A Cause

Following the Cold War, the United States economy was one of the few that had not been crippled and during the 1950s, America was on top of the world with a fast growing economy, strong military power, new cars, new suburban houses, new televisions, etc. The G.I. Bill was a factor in the booming economy because it provided many benefits for men who were in combat. In addition to 50 dollars a week for 52 weeks, men returning from combat were also provided with loans for education, buying homes, and starting businesses from the government. The story of Rebel Without a Cause follows Jim Stark, the new kid in town, as he tries to make friends and adjust to his new life. He finds himself in a little trouble when the towns tough guys decide to challenge

Prior to the war, while women were working in factories, their children were working to help out the nation too. After the war, the baby boom was the single largest growth industry of postwar America and in the 1950s, America grew by almost 30 million people (chafe, 117). Post-war, teenagers stayed in school and could get a part-time job if they wanted and as a result, which also contributed to the economy was that they spent money on things that they liked, such as rock and roll music. Rebel without a cause portrayed concerns over the growing youth culture and perceptions of juvenile delinquency in the first scene; Judy was wandering around at 1:00AM because her father wiped off her lipstick. She said she thought he would’ve rubbed her lips off. In an article, “The Life of a 1950’s Teenager,” written by Richard Powers, John McKeon recalled "What I remember most about the 50s were rules. Rules, rules, rules... for everything (Richard Powers). The growing youth culture began to voice their own opinions, be bold with their outfits, wear red lipstick, listen to rock and roll, etc. and older generations thought they were being rebellious. Older generations were used to kids that always