Sunday, May 9, 2010

What was life like for teenagers in world war two?

I'm writing an essay on the life of teenagers during world war two and don't know anything about the topic!What was life like for teenagers in world war two?
The word Teenager was created in the 1950鈥檚 due to the tremendous population of those in this age category and because teenagers started gaining more independence and freedoms. Teenagers were able to buy more things like food, clothes and music because of an increase in spending money.





Teenagers were also becoming more independent in the type of music they preferred to listen to, no more listening to what their parents liked, teens flocked to the new music of the decade, which was rock and roll.





Growing up as a teenager prior to World War II, teenagers were expected to take life seriously. Males were expected to join the military or go out and get a job in order to help bring in money for their family or to take care of their future family.





Females were taught how to take care of the household and prepare themselves to be a dutiful wife and take care of children. Marriage and preparing for a family, more than education or a career, was seen as a definite in the lives of teenagers. Also, teens had very little economic freedom, independence, and input into decision making prior to WWII.





However, in the 1950鈥檚, expectations changed for the teenager. The economy started booming and families experienced a great deal of economic power, freedom and independence, including teenagers.What was life like for teenagers in world war two?
There were no teenagers during WWII, they appeared post War due to the baby boom.





The young people were basically treated as young adults, they left school, they went to work, or either volunteered or were conscripted in the any of the Services.





They lived at home until they were married and many still lived at home until they could afford to rent a house. A mortgage was out of the question, because they did not earn enough.





They were very respectful of their parents/grandparents and had to abide by the rules of the house. the notion of ';family'; ran throughout the country whatever class.





There were no teenager fashions, they dressed like their parents. Colours were either black, grey or brown, socks were woollen, collar and ties were always worn as were hats - either trilbies or caps.





They listened to the ';wireless'; (radio) and went out dancing at the very large dance halls or went to the music hall - the latter with the family. Eating and drinking clubs were for the middle/upper class. They spent a lot of time going to the cinema which was very very popular both before and during and after the War.
There were many restrictions. Girls couldn't buy stockings. Things were rationed. I was born at the end of the baby boom so I really only know things that I overheard or learned about in school. I would recommend that you call or go to a retirement home and interview some seniors that are in their late 60's - 70's and see what they have to say. I'm sure you could find at least one or two that would love to talk to you.





Most seniors are lonely so it would be great for them and you would get great information.

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