Revolution In Music And Fashion example essay topic

The changes in teenage attitudes between the 1950's and 1970's were dramatic, especially since during the 1950's the word 'teenager' had not even been used. Fashion, music, and lifestyles completely changed during that period, as did the attitudes of young people towards politics, drugs and hedonism. During the 1950's, children were expected to obey their parent's wishes and have a life similar to theirs. The children's lives were strongly controlled by parents as Source A suggests, stating 'bedtime was strictly at eight o'clock sharp' with the idea that most radio programs were always watched with the supervision of an adult: 'We listened to the radio. ' Clothes were always conventional with very few defining subcultures. Music was soft and ballad like performed by artists like Frank Sinatra until Bill Haley and Elvis Presley became popular.

However there was already the start of a revolution, as parents were failing to see the importance in traditional ideas like going to church, and instead just making sure their children continued with the conventions: 'they never went to church' (Source A). These changes took place because during the 1950's there was an overall increase in prosperity throughout the country, as is shown in Source D. This would have made life easier for everyone, with children having more disposable income to spend on whatever they wanted. People were also reacting to previous poverty, the atrocities of war and the necessity of being rationed. With more money, they could afford to buy less common, more extravagant foods and find comfort in material goods that included televisions: 'we got one' (Source B), 45 singles and radios. This boom in technology also allowed children access to youth culture and things that seemed scandalous at the time like Elvis, who was seen as 'a dangerous influence'. These changes led to a revolution in music and fashion.

Teenagers were exposed to a wider selection of music with previously unheard of styles emerging. During the 1950's the music was generally soft and 'boring big bands' (Source C) but soon there was a diversification into the early styles of Rock 'n' Roll by artists such as Elvis who the adults thought was 'terrible' and would 'switch off the television if he was on', with a similar attitude towards Bob Haley. When the new music was performed, it was with a lot more energy and sex appeal, with a greater accent on the performance rather than the musical prowess of the artist. The new music contained more updated language, with phrasings that the teenagers themselves would have used rather than expressions of their parents.

As well as a variety of music becoming widely available, people were now able to afford them more than before as it was a time when unemployment was low and the new 45 records were inexpensive. The fashion of the young is another aspect of the way that lives were changing. Early fashion had many 'dress codes' (Source C) for differing occasions, and was modest and 'respectable. ' An importance was placed on clothing, and being seen in the right outfit. However with many people wearing the new fashion of jeans, it was almost impossible to tell the class of the person wearing them. Soon many subcultures developed, with the mods wearing expensive clothing or mini-skirts if they were women, hippies sporting the newest 'psychedelic' and alternative clothes, and rockers wearing mostly leather and denim.

People could be identified by the clothes they wore and the music they listened to. The emergence of subcultures led to new attitudes and values amongst teenagers. The sub cultures developed, creating conflict between groups and developing their own values. The teenagers became interested in politics and peace rather than war.

The sixties became a 'golden age' (Source C) rife with experimentation with illegal substances, 'protest and rebellion' and 'massive changes in sexual behaviour. ' Many younger people became anti-authoritarian, interested only in the things that fitted their personal agendas. The Vietnam War became the focus for many rebellions and political interest. Because the economy was very strong, with more jobs than people to fill them, it didn't matter if you protested against something and got sacked - another job was always available so the attitude towards work was very casual. Students left school at the earliest opportunity to join the world of work, as it was easier than continuing with studies.

1968 was the summer of hate, with bloody rebellions and student revolts. There was no longer a passion for the monarchy that was so present in the 1950's, nor a sense of patriotism. There was a greater value for living for pleasure than had ever been seen before. The emergence of punk reinforces the idea of a revolution. Glam, disco and progressive rock were all the forerunners of punk.

Glam was very bright and retro, with 'sequins and spangles' and 'platform shoes... [that] give you dizzy spells' (Source F). The economy was still fairly strong, so many aspired to live a 'very extravagant lifestyle'. This could not have continued at the time of the punks as it was a time of austerity. Unemployment was high (Source D) and the casual attitude of the 1960's was soon replaced with cynicism.

'Pocket money didn't stretch that far... Saturday jobs were scarce's tates Source E. As there was hardly any disposable income, money for buying clothes or records was not readily available so the punks developed their own fashions, like making clothes out of bin liners and wearing accessories made from safety pins. Some live gigs were free, so they were accessible to all, with music that was 'adrenalin fuelled... robotic guitar chords and screamed vocals' (Source G). The general attitude of the punks was offensive, aggressive and non-conformist, rebelling against the glamorous lifestyles that had been present during times of affluence..