| Summary |
The purpose of this thesis was to compare the images of living in 1950s United States with the reality of growing up during the decade. Images of being a "simpler" period were exaggerated as the nation experienced both growing prosperity and increased anxiety. Living in the 1950s has been covered in previous studies but in this thesis the view point was provided by teenagers and reflects their hopes and concerns. The record birthrate experienced in post-World War II United States completely transformed society. Pre-war trends had predicted continued decline in the number of births but the large cohort of the 1950s emerged as historically unique. This group established new economic markets, created the need for services on an unprecedented scale and drove the mass migration from the nation's urban centers. While the future looked bright for children born during the 1950s, teenagers living at that time experienced growing anxiety. The dawn of the atomic age led to greater uncertainty in the post war era. The rise in juvenile delinquency and the growing popularity of rock and roll increased adult fear and suspicion. Critics expounded upon the deficiencies of the current generation. This barrage of outside pressures resulted in growing tensions as teenagers resented parental control of their lives. Only a small portion of the population in the 1950s, teenagers nonetheless were important in laying the groundwork for a broader youth movement in the following decade. This thesis utilizes a variety of sources in showing the extent of this uncertainty and resentment. Census data provides the initial picture of those involved and those who were to follow. Public opinion polls illustrate both sides of the conflict as teenagers and adults express their thoughts about the other side. Finally, periodical literature gives a broader understanding of the events taking place outside of this conflict and help explain the placed upon it. This evidence suggests that tension between adults and teenagers increased throughout the 1950s and broke out into open conflict during the 1960s. |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Department of History. |
| General note | Advisor: Donald H. Parkerson |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1994 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-115). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | History. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
