Adolescent Culture in the 50s 4

Adolescent Culture in the 50s:

Rebellion and Non-conformity


Stu Dent

ENG 4CI
Ms. Brooks
June 10, 2014


Adolescent Culture in the 50s 2

Adolescent Culture in the 50s: Rebellion and Non-conformity
The 50s marked many significant cultural shifts. In particular, American adolescents
began to reconsider their roles and their relationships with adults. This often took the form of
rebellion. Even though many teens in the 50s did not individually rebel, they began to admire
and idealize those who did. Fictional characters as well as real life rebels became popular.
This new culture was reflected in many areas of life for the adolescent generation of the 50s.
For example, the rejection of authority was demonstrated in the following areas of life:
1. Role Models
2. Music
3. Film
4. Family
5. Society

Adolescent Culture in the 50s 4

Role Models
There was a shift in role models in the 50s. Although the American dream still existed,
adolescents of 50s began to reject it. Those they looked up to were those who rejected and
rebelled against what was expected of them. For instance, Holden Caulfield, a character in J.D.
Salingers novel Catcher in the Rye, became a popular literary character (Rock and Roll
Generation 1998, p.110). His popularity was derived by his rebellion against society and more
specifically the adults who surrounded him. Another infamous role
model was James Dean. This famous movie actor was loved by girls
and emulated by boys (Rock and Roll Generation 1998, p.116). His
rebellion went beyond his films. His risk taking ended up taking his life
in a high speed crash when he was just 24 years old (Rock and Roll
Generation 1998, 116). In the mid-fifties beatnik culture emerged.
This culture celebrated the marginalized groups in society and promoted individuality over
conformity. Drug use became associated with the Beats and popular hangouts were found in
New Yorks Greenwich Village and San Franciscos North Beach. Jack Kerouacs novel, On the
Road, became the representative of the values of the Beat counter culture (Willis 2005). Those
individuals who attracted the attention of the youth in the 1950s were characterized by their
rebellious nature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, each generation becomes known for a certain set of characteristics.
Some would say that the non-conformity of the 50s may have laid the foundation for the protests
of the 60s (Willis 2005). It is clear from the study of adolescent culture that the 50s can be
characterized by an emerging adolescent mindset that rejected authority and celebrated
rebellion. From the role models of the 50s to the music and films to family and society, rebellion
was the defining word for 50s teen culture.


James Dean: 50s teen rebel
Adolescent Culture in the 50s 4

References
Rock and Roll Generation: Teen Life in the 50s. (1998) Neil Kagan, ed. Alexandria, Virginia:
Time Life Inc.
Schwartz, R. (2002). The 1950s (Eyewitness History). New York: Facts On File. 23 April 2014.
http://ebooks.infobaselearning.com/View.aspx?ISBN=9781438108766
Wills, C. (2005). America in the 1950s (Decades of American History). New York: Facts On File.
23 April 2014. http://ebooks.infobaselearning.com/View.aspx?ISBN=9781438118673