Gilbert states that many believed “the very creative energy that welled up in rock and roll, new words, fashions, and customs threatened the stability of American society” (15). On the other hand, many Americans saw the expression of independence from their parents, as a common and traditional trend for teenagers throughout history. Although, this did not stop older generations from pinpointing specific changes in culture to be of “delinquent characteristics” (). To start, one reason why older generations were cautious towards the teenage population was due to the recognition in their “impact on the shaping of American popular culture” (13). Specifically, Cosmopolitan recorded in one of their issues that, “we’ve stopped trying to teach them how to live.
The lyrics of most rock and roll songs were provocative and dirty. However, the film was a hit and the song was history’s most successful rock single(Birth of the Cool- in class notes). Teenagers before the 1950s would dance and express themselves through classical and American pop music. During the 1950s, the teenagers of the newer generation expressed themselves through a different genre of music, rock and roll. It was exactly the same cycle that the newer generations’ parents went through as teenagers.
I think the prevailing idea that teenagers were rebellious is correct. When I say this, I’m referring to the 1920’s. Society had a perfect image of how everything should be. Especially adolescents in particular. Adolescents in the 1920’s pretty much got rid of the norms which were expected of them, and created their own.
The Zoot Suit Riots presents it viewers with a deeper perception of teenage rebellion, immigration, the history of Mexicans in America and so much more. The railroads arrived in Los Angeles in 1880’s, launching an era of expansion and growth. By 1910, the majority of immigrants come from Canada, Germany, and England. According to PBS, “The Mexican immigrant population is around 800” (PBS.org). During Mexico’s revolution, the refugee count was over 21,000 by 1920.
In Australia Radios were estimated to have 97% of Australians using and listening to them at home and in cars where they were newly installed into. Radios were also popular throughout the world because of the new portably accessible radios. Because of the popularity in radios and music more people tended to listen to the newest music world wide which happened to be Rock N Roll. In the 1950’s Australia was witnessing the Stolen Generation and the rapid grow in population due to the Baby Boom and migrants coming into Australia.
Oppositional stance against policies or institutions is prominent just as it was with youth counterculture
Songs like “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “School Days” by Chuck Berry exemplified the rebellious attitude of the sixties. The lyrics were about girls going against the dress code and how school was a drag. Young people wanted to rebel simply because they could. An outstanding example of the youth culture was the beat movement. Beatniks were a group of artistic social activists who stressed to young people that they should practice spiritual action and reject materialism.
Prohibition wasn’t the only source of social tension in the 1920’s. The Great migration of African Americans from the south countryside to the north cities, and the increase of black culture had embarrassed the white’s and it made them feel very uncomfortable about themselves. Because of this, millions of white people in different places like Indiana, and Illinois joined the KKK in the 1920’s. To them, they felt like this Klan helped them by killing the black people and going back to their own culture.
The 1920’s was among the era that was known for prohibition, which was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages that remained in place from 1920 to 1933. The 1920’s could easily related to current social conflicts that we have in the United States today. Bootlegging was a common occurrence in the Prohibition days, which was the manufacturing, distribution, and/or selling of alcohol, which was illegal during Prohibition. Today we have the same problem with marijuana. Marijuana is illegal in most states, but is still smuggled through the border of the US which is sold and used, just like alcohol was during Prohibition.
Racism and segregation has a mass history in the United States which impacted our society greatly. There were many riots, boycotts, and strikes which occurred throughout the 1900’s. Many people simply wanted peace and to bring everyone together no matter what race or color and others wanted to be separated from people with a different skin color and race. Whites and blacks were being separated from bathrooms and even restaurants. This resulted in conflict between our society which left many killed and injured.
It is important for parents to stop labeling everything thing their teen does as “teen rebellion” (Abowitz). And to stop overly judging what their sons/daughters wears, listen to, and how they speak; the more we label them as teen rebels, the more they will feel like they are
As reviewed in class, many adult Americans used to think that Rock and Roll and it’s exponents were a “bad influence” to teenagers back on the days. It is important to point out that many social changes on that time were a result of sociocultural modifications around authority figures like the government, parents, school authorities, etc. With the influence of Rock and Roll, people started to question topics like: religion, politics, social structures and sexual statements and teens showed attitudes against any form of authority that tried to control them. After World War II, adolescents showed more violent attitudes against social statements at that time.
Rebellious teenagers do what they want as they try to make their own decisions, regardless of what their parents
En Masse, Rock and Roll has influenced various areas of the youth culture amid the 1960’s, dominating many areas of the world. The popularity and international outlook for rock music resulted in a compelling impact on society as Rock and Roll influenced everyday fashions, attitudes, and behaviors. Drawing on many different styles, this genre of music excited a worldwide generation of young listeners, while, at the same time, distressing musical, cultural, and social authorities. Presently, it is tough to fully understand the bitter criticism the new music generated in its entirety. Rock music gave shape to many different counter-cultural movements which engulfed the world.
Teenagers all of a sudden felt good being rebellious and decided they would like different things than their parents. And so begin the generation gap of teenagers and their parents. Without the generation gap, the
