1950's Music
Many White teens were drawn to black musical styles by white performers such as Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Rural white teens chose rockabilly, which combined elements of rock n roll and country music. Poor black teenagers, who grew up in urban areas, made doo-wop part of their lives because it was already part of the culture. Parents became very unhappy with the type of music their children were listening to especially Rock n Roll. Parents and adults did not appreciate this type of music, however as teens became more independent and free, they did as they wanted and teens loved Elvis because they looked up to him as a role model since he was “cool” but at the same time different.
Teen Culture
The 1950's saw political and economic change occurring in youth culture. What it meant to be a teen drastically changed from the times of past generations. With the influx of Rock n Roll and popular artists teens were "bopping" and "swingin" their hips more than ever. With the new type of music brought up a new type of rebellious culture. Teens were being exposed to drugs and sex for the first time, frightening especially those who were concerned with the moral decay of society. Parents and adults became angered with the way teenagers were beginning to act, and in the newspaper clipping below a school principle begins to describe what teens should do when they get home by stating, "Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, study your lessons, and after you've finished read a book."
http://crandall1950syoungculture.wordpress.com
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/words-for-teenagers-judge-advice_n_1776337.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/14/words-for-teenagers-judge-advice_n_1776337.html