Adolescence is the growth and development stage from childhood to adulthood. According to WHO, an adolescent is a person between the age of 10-19. Many societies relate adolescence to a period of physical, psychological, and social development. It is at this stage that most young adults start to mature (Csikszentmihalyi, 2021). Most teenagers may experience separation from their parents at this period as they learn to become self-reliant and establish their values. However, there is a difference between teenagers brought up in the 21 st century compared to those brought up in the 1950s. An interview with an older man at the age of 75 years was essential to identify the difference. The discussion focused on adolescent’s life in the early 1950s and how parents brought up their children. Therefore, this paper’s content will compare and contrast teenagers’ lives today and in the 1950s.
Having an interview with the older man helped to learn what it was to grow up as a teenager in the 1950s. Several questions during the interview helped identify a teenager’s life, such as going to school and their social life. Education in the mid 20 th century was different. The average American child only attended school for a few years. During these years, teachers taught students basic grammar and mathematical skills. Today’s teenagers are lucky to attend schools that have advanced, and welt built classes. Almost every school has the latest technologies to help students learn effectively. In the 20 th century, students would submit handwritten assignments as there were no computers to aid in typing. Most young teenagers had the privilege to attend school at their will without their parents forcing them.
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There were many activities in the early and mid 20 th century for students attending classes, such as fieldwork, to improve their learning capabilities. Most adolescents started working while in school to help contribute to the family’s income. They would work some part of the day, while the other part of the day, they had to be in class. Working in the mid 20 th century was essential for teenagers as it helped them learn how to be responsible. With the advancement of technology, most teenagers today are working online as YouTubers or even spend their time on social media.
In the mid 20 th century, relationships between parents and kids were strict. Most parents wanted their children to have better lives and did everything possible to make it happen. Parents taught their children good manners by taking them to school and church (Patricia, 2016). Parents expected girls to be nice, while they expected boys to be strong, assertive, and responsible. Clothing in the mid 20 th century was different since teenagers were not much concerned about fashion. Teen girls in the 1950s preferred to wear full skirts made of wool fabric, while boys wore a shirt, tie, and pressed slacks. However, that has changed in the 21 st century.
Dating in the mid 20 th century was different than now, and it required a process to get to know each other before committing to marriage (Jeni, 2016). A potential date was supposed to be punctual and clean-minded. In addition, it was essential to inform parents so they could approve the people an individual dated. However, that has changed with the development of social media accounts and dating apps. A person dating requires a compelling and robust profile in the dating and social media account to look more attractive. Life in the mid 20 th century was social, open, and friendly. Families lived together in the suburbs, and they allowed their teens to interact through various activities such as sports and camping.
In conclusion, much has changed since the 1950s and now in how parents raise their teenagers. Technology has changed the culture of youths by breaking their social life cycle. Most children nowadays spend so much time on the internet gaming and watching online videos.
References
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2021, February 20). Adolescence. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/adolescence
Jeni Marinucci. (2016, February 3). Dating in the 1950s was no picnic . CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/life/backintimeforwinter/dating-in-the-1950s-was-no-picnic-1.5395630
Patricia Lantz. (2016, June 15). The 1950s family: Structure, values, and everyday life . LoveToKnow. https://family.lovetoknow.com/about-family-values/1950s-family-structure-values-everyday-life
