How did life change for teenagers from the 1950s? Lesson Aim: To feel confident with the content. History lessons are now on the website – hooray! TASK:  Content boxed.  key points underlined.  5 ideas on each topic.

How did life change for teenagers from the 1950s?  The A3 hand out is all the knowledge you need for the exam.  If you look at your boxes you will see that this is not much knowledge – However, sources may also give you useful evidence e.g. Source 26: Film ‘Rock Around the Clock.’  The exam questions is source based, they will ask us to use a source and our own knowledge (A3 sheets).

How did life change for teenagers from the 1950s? Topics we’re looking at:  What was it like growing-up in the 1950s?  Teenagers of the 1960s and 1970s  Rebellion and forming of a subculture  Reaction of authorities.  How far did the lives of all teenagers change ? I will talk you through some key points, you can add notes, follow through in your booklet as we go.

What was it like growing-up in the 1950s?  1950s ‘transitional decade’ – a time of great social change.  Economy ruined in WWII – still rationing.  In 1950s nothing like the ‘teenage culture’ of today.  Economic changes in later 1950s – easy to get a job, fathers usually earned enough to provide for their families, so children got more disposable cash.  They used this money to dress differently, listen to different music e.g. Rock around the Clock’ etc.  American influence as English speaking/soldiers stationed in WWII.  Add any extra specific detail e.g. what was rationed.

Teenagers of the 1960s/70s  Largely built on 1950s, but some trends did start in the 1960s.  Reasons for changes: Oral contraceptive pill, new fabrics, teenagers had money items specifically aimed at them, radical politics e.g. environmentalism, music, multiculturalism.  See the adverts on p21.  However, for many not much difference to 1950s.  Add any detail – e.g. Adverts – bands, products etc.

Teenagers of the 1960s/70s  1960s, 5 million teenagers spent £800 million in the U.K.  First time big companies marketed to teenagers directly.  Manufactured pop groups faded out and bands that played ‘songs’ such as The Beatles and Rolling Stones became popular.  People watching Top of the Pops.  In 1955, British listeners bought just over 4 million records – 1961 it was 61 million.  Add any detail – e.g. Name of boutiques.

Rebellion and development of a youth culture.  The character Johnny played by Marlon Brando in the 1953 film ‘The Wild One’ asked Johnny ‘what are you rebelling against?’ he replied ‘watcha got?’  Set mould for teenagers angry at everything – ‘counter culture.’  Rebelling because: ideas of duty, attitudes to sex, parents in war hard act to follow, changes to women, immigration, political unrest.  Teen culture fragmented e.g. The Mods (suits, scooters, soul and ska and Rockers (motor bikes/rock and roll).

Rebellion and development of a youth culture.  However, although there was rebellion most teenagers did not ‘drop out’ of society.  Only a minority were involved in rioting or violence.  Student protests were very law-abiding compared to similar in France and the USA – E.g. anti-Vietnam demonstrations.  Argued that perhaps not a change in teenagers, but the way the media portrayed them (called a ‘moral panic’).

Reactions of authorities  ‘Authorities’ could mean a range of people in power.  In the 60s/70s this was known as ‘the man.’  They were made up of war veterans in the authorities explaining there some time negative view of the teenage counter-culture.  Lots of articles, debates, letters showing reaction.  Also, in political cartoons.  Look at the sources p26-27.

How did the lives of all teenagers change?  Important not to exaggerate the changes that occurred.  Was it a revolution of longer-term changes?  The contraceptive pill made a big difference to attitudes toward sex.  Number of births of year olds went from around 4% in 1945 to over 10% by  Source 49.

Make revision cards to remember it all! Make sure you have specific detail. Front – key question. Back details – maybe add pictures to help remember/condense information. If you feel really confident you could do a bit more research e.g. on the Mods and Rockers.

Photogleamer! – best revision cards made.

RESOURCES

What was it like growing-up in the 1950s?Teenagers of the 1960s/70s I Teenagers of the 1960s/70s IIRebellion and development of a youth culture.

Reactions of authorities How did the lives of all teenagers change?