Teenagers!!!

Teenagers in the 1950s

The term ‘teenagers’ was not used until 1950

Often people would get married an move out of their parents home by the time they were 21

Teenagers of this period changed this – they began to reject the seemingly dull, timid, old-fashioned and uninspired British culture around them

They sought new pleasures and activities that were often totally at odds to what their parents thought was acceptable!

Teenagers in the 1960s - Influences

1. Cultural influences • Film, television, magazines, rock music. • In particular American influences on

European teenagers – Rock and Roll (Elvis), Film stars (James Dean) • Impacted fashion, language and activities

Teenagers in the 1960s - Influences

2. Consumer goods• Provided teenagers with the tools to

cultivate their own styles in clothes, haircuts, and even travel.

• This spearheaded a generation gap between parents and their children

Teenagers in the 1960s - Influences

3. Financial power◦They had cash to spend on self-indulgent

purchases e.g. they soon had their own fashions, music, cafes and by the end of the decade their own transport – scooters!

"...De-teddyfying the teddy boy..." Mr. Butler

October 1958

How did teenagers and students behave in the 1960s and early 1970s?

The Pill 1961 – gave women more control over their lives – they married and started families later. This increased women’s opportunities in education and employment.

Abortion Act 1967 – came into effect 1968. Made abortion legal in the UK.

Caption 'Just another

adult TV production for Christmas, old boy'

Embedded text'Horror'"Cinderella" shelved by BBCSnow White (Tale of a teenage girl living with seven dwarfs)Sex-mad HappyGangster GrumpyDopey the JunkySleepy the DrunkIncurable Sneezyand Doc the Abortionist

Changing behaviour

1. They worshipped their idols• Bands like The Beatles and The Rolling

Stones came to be leaders of youth culture and were worshipped almost as gods by teenagers

1960s music1950s had seen Elvis Presley1960s – The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones

and The KinksThe Stones openly sang about sex and drugsThe Who regularly smashed up equipment on stageThe Stones and The Beatles were regular trapped in

hotel rooms by screaming teenage girls1964 – The Beatles sold 25 million records worldwide1965 – The Stones sold 5 million copies worldwide of

the song ‘Satisfaction’Top of the Pops ran from 1964 until 20061960s saw the explosion of popular radioPirate Radio Stations emerged. The most famous

being Radio Caroline that broadcasted in the North Sea. It became the most popular station in Britain – it was shut down and BBC Radio One was born in 1967

CaptionTHAT NEW DANCE[.]

CREEPERS come to the County Ball

1953

Changing behaviour

They became more daring when it came to expressing themselves• Teenagers adopted trend setting behaviour

whereas before trends had been set for them• The mini skirt – a controversial fashion

trend of the 1960s

Caption"Oh, I do so hope so, Miss."Embedded textUp with mini skirtsMini-skirts are foreverDior 1966

Changing behaviour

3. Emergence of youth subculture• Youth based subcultures became more

visible e.g. Mods and Rockers• Mods – viewed as sophisticated with their

scooters• Rockers – a more macho image on their

motorcycles• 1964 – several well publicised battles

between the two groups at seaside resorts• Later subcultures included hippies,

skinheads and punk rockers

Caption"The poor darling! The medicine we've been giving him is much too nasty!"Embedded textThe 'Modern' Mixture builds bonny children!Ingredients : No Punishment, No Hard Work, No difficult exams, No Beating

Changing behaviour

4. More violent and criminal behaviour• Teddy boys – played a role in attacking

black people during Notting Hill riots.• Teenage drug use – cannabis in particular

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmpMyJOF8xo&feature=related

Opting OutHippiesFocus was ‘Peace’ and ‘Free Love’Associated with use of drugs particularly

cannabis and LSD1967 – Summer of Love – 50,000 young hippies

gathered for a three day ‘love-in’There was a national petition to legalise

Cannabis – signatures included The Beetles and some of the Rolling Stones

1968 – large rally calling for Cannabis to be legalised

Most Hippies did not opt out of society. Most hippies had full-time jobs and returned to offices, shops and factories after events at the weekend

Changing behaviour

5. Public Protest• 1958 the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament was formed and organised well publicised protest marches• 1960s political demonstrations which

sometimes led to violence – the Vietnam War

CaptionPublished caption: 'What's "A Lecture" Mavis .... ?'NotesNews (4th March) Students rally in Trafalgar Square to protest for increased student grants. 1968

Caption"When did this urge to get down to some studying come over you?"

Embedded textStudent Protest Student DemonstrationStudent MarchStudent Hunger StrikeStudent BoycottL.S.E.NotesNews (14th March) Students at the London School of Economics protest over discipline. This results in an all night protest. The Director of the institution is jeered after imposing some suspensions (The Times Index, March - April, 1967)

Caption"Peace in Vietnam and brotherly love to all men! - And if any lousy fascist doesn't agree with me I'll smash his head with a paint pot!"Embedded textRedMiddle-aged Don trying to be'with-it'Honours degree in violenceTextbook on riotingThesis on 'sleep-ins'Danger - you are now entering a place of learning 1968

1960s Sex mad?Teenagers attitudes to sex changedTeenagers were becoming sexual mature earlier as a

result of being bigger and healthier than beforeImproving antibiotics means STDs were easier to treatThe contraceptive pill was availablePop stars and celebrities exploits made sex

fashionableAlfie showed a young man happy to move from affair

to affair disregarding the consequences – until an illegal abortion leads him to a breakdown

Successful but hugely controversial film at the timeThe Contraceptive Pill was not available until 1969,

family planning clinics would only give the pill to married women until 1970

1964 unmarried women could get the contraceptive pill from Brooks Clinics but by 1966 there were only 4 of these clinics in the country

Caption'George Frederick Potts, which wilt thou have to be thy wedded wife..?"

Embedded text Churches may start

a Marriage BureauDaphne DesperateRosie Built to lastMaggie Sex madCynthia Good teethMaude AffectionateGertrude Docile

Notes News: 28 October:

Christian marriage Bureau suggested. (The Times Page 15 col b)

14. How far did the lives of all teenagers change in the

1960s and early 1970s?

Education

Free to all up to the age of 14Managed under the Tripartite System

Grammar schools – entry exam, academic focus

Secondary technical schools – very few of these were built, focused on mechanical, scientific and engineering skills to serve industry and science

Secondary Moderns - designed for the majority of pupils - those who did not achieve the grade needed for grammar schools

Secondary Moderns

Criticised from the late 1940s for their perceived low standards

Replaced with comprehensive schools in the 1960s

Comprehensives provided free education from 11 to 16 years

Prevented children who failed the 11-plus exam feeling like second class citizens

Expansion of university education

Post WW2 many new universities were founded (Warwick, Norwich, Kent, York)

30 new Polytechnics also set up1960s and early 1970s witnessed an

enormous expansion in the number of full-time university students.

Grants and fees were also paid by Local Education Authorities – gave those from poorer backgrounds the opportunity to go to university.