The term “teenager” came alive in the 1940s when young adolescence gained more independence, had more money, and started to develop their own traits within their age group. For instance, in the article “What is a Teenager?” by Kathleen K. Abowitz and Richard Rees, they explain that in the medieval times teenage life was very different when they write, “Philippe Airès has shown that in medieval Europe, the movement from child to adult was instantaneous” (Abowitz et al.). Society at the time of the 1940s was changing and young adolescence were gaining more freedom. The young adolescence originally worked to help provide for the family. Now the young adults had more time because they were starting to be enrolled into schools. Teens were further able to develop themselves and find themselves because of the new free time they gained. The new free time allowed them to have more freedom and independence. Furthermore, in the article “Essential Question,” they explain that the postwar economic success influenced marketing when they write, “Because of the postwar economic boom, many white, middle-class teenagers had more leisure time and more spending power than previous generations of young people” (“Essential Question”). Young adolescence, forming teenagers, now had more freedom and more money. Advertising and marketing wanted to take advantage of the teenagers and their money, so advertisements were more towards teens. The young adolescence were further able to develop the teenager because they now knew what other teens would be wearing or doing due to the advertisements. In conclusion, in the article “The Invention of the Teenager,” they explain that the teen was further created when automobiles were created when they write, “The single greatest factor that led to the emergence of the independent teenager was the automobile. Teens enjoyed a freedom from parental supervision unknown to previous generations” (“The Invention of the Teenager”). High schools now had a new way to get students to schools and teens were now gathered in a new environment together. The teen and the traits possessed were now further developed. The teen demographic is categorized by the traits that they share together. The freedom of teens being able to be together further developed the traits and the teenager itself. The newfound free time and independence, the increase in money, and traits that were starting to be displayed, created the teenage group in the 1940s due to the common traits the young adolescence were starting to share.
Works Cited:
Abowitz, Kathleen K, and Richard Rees. “What is a Teenager?” What is a Teen – Miami
University. Miami University, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
“Essential Question.” The Birth of the American Teenager. Scholastic, n.d. Web. 14 May
2014.
“The Invention of the Teenager.” US History. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 14 May
2014.
Abowitz, Kathleen K, and Richard Rees. “What is a Teenager?” What is a Teen – Miami
University. Miami University, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
“Essential Question.” The Birth of the American Teenager. Scholastic, n.d. Web. 14 May
2014.
“The Invention of the Teenager.” US History. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 14 May
2014.