The 1950s was a decade of dramatic shift in the way Americans grew up and the activities that they were involved in. During the ’50s teenagers saw responsibilities shrink and free time increase. During this time parents who had survived WII felt an increase in desire to have their children have a better life.
The availability of social interaction between teenagers saw a surge in the creation of slang terms covering everything from dating, music to general descriptions of those events themselves. Also, as teenagers became more independent of their parents conflict between the desires of the parents and the teenagers increased and eventually caused the term “generation gap” to enter into American English during the 1960s.
The one major cultural shift that occurred during the 1950s centered around music and the creation of Rock and Roll. Previous generations had gathered around the radio to listen to music. However, with the invention of the record things got a little crazy. Teenagers could now buy and play music they wanted to listen to. They also began attending rock concerts instead of just dances.
Another large part of teenage culture were cars.
These found photos from Steve Martin show what lifestyle of American teenagers looked like in the 1950s.
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| A group of teenage girls take a spin in a red convertible |
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| A teenage girl performs a headstand while a couple other watch |
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| Brunette girl with bangs |
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| Girl appearing to be using a transistor radio |
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| Girl at car |
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| Girl by wagon wheel |
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| Girl in shorts and crop top holding a book |
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| Girl in swimsuit and hat posing on beach |
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| Girl is washing a Ford |
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| Girl posing by tree and fruit boxes |
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| Girl sitting in chair with dog |
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| Girl sitting on doorstep |
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| Girls are wearing shorts |
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| Girls in rolled jeans and saddle shoes |
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| Girls shovel ice on rink |
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| Group of teenage boys |
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| Group of teenage girls with lolipops |
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| High school play |
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| Note on back reads "Gypsy Dance, 5/24/53, Recital Day." |
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| Note on back reads "Karen Tomasouic's and Carolyn Hoch's 'Come as you are party'. November 31, 1954. 9-00 A.M. to 2-30 P.M." |
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| Teen girls on railroad tracks |
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| Teenage girl on motor scooter |
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| Teenage girl posing on couch |
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| Teenage girl posing on table outside |
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| Teenage girl posing outside |
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| Teenage girls at bowling alley |
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| Teenage girls of a slumber party in pajamas pose |
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| Teens hanging out at park |
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| Three boys, likely brothers |
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| Two girls in dresses pose |
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| Two girls pose in plaid slacks |
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| Two girls wear Hawaiian shirts, rolled jeans and are barefoot, and a shopping cart with a bag full of more products are behind them |
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| Two teen girls pose on lawn |
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| Two teenage girls by large shrub |
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| Two young women on rock by beach |