Teenagers In The 1920s Essay

Teenagers in the 1920s Many wonder what teenage life used to look like in the 1920s. Unlike previous generations, young Americans’ average number of years in school were increasing and instead of getting married at sixteen or seventeen, parents were delaying longer before pressuring their children into marriage. In other words, it rapidly became clear that America was entering a new era of life with many new traits. Dating, fashion, and entertainment were influenced by teenagers in the 1920s. Dating was a considerable part of teenagers' lives. It began after teens were placed in a collective school building where they were surrounded by people of the same age. The new high school became the hub of social life for young people as it brought

Flappers were young women known for their independence who usually had shoulder-length hair and wore copious amounts of makeup. These women experimented with new looks, jobs, and lifestyles as they chose activities to please themselves. Lastly, men got two new types of trousers: oxford bags and plus-fours. “Men usually cut their hair short and wore some sort of hat: popular styles included the felt hat, the fedora or trilby, flat caps, or the straw boater depending on the season and the man’s status” (Reddy). They also moved away from uncomfortable lace-up boots and preferred lower-cut oxfords or

There was a lot of new music that was being introduced like jazz, blues, dance music, and ragtime. “Almost all of these genres originated from the creative work of African Americans influenced by their culture and heritage” (Tennant). Jazz music influenced dance, fashion, and culture while blues music shared the stories of a prejudiced and segregated South, also personal trials. Blues music was heavily influenced by the African spirituals sung by those who were enslaved.

Prior to the radio, music could be shared only through sheet music, piano rolls, or live performances. With the use of radio waves, music of all kinds could easily be introduced to homes across the United States. Music influenced new dances like the fox trot, the waltz, the tango, and the charleston. The charleston made its debut in the 1923 Broadway show Runnin’ Wild and became a favorite in dance halls across the states. The 1920s were also known as the "Jazz Age" because jazz was becoming popular. King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory, and Duke Ellington were all popular