1. Teenage Life and Counter Culture in the 1950s

2. Before World War II Teenagers expected to take life seriously  Males joined the military or go and get a job  Females taught to take care of the house and prepare to be a dutiful wife and mother  Marriage seen as more important than education or a career Teens had little economic freedom, independence, or input into decision making

3. Things Change Families experienced a great deal of economic power New medians for entertainment created Teenagers now more inclined to:  Attend college  Find a skill  Seek a successful career Parents now wanted more for their children

4. Teenage Entertainment Television shows AM Radio Rock ‘n’ Roll High school dances Clothing trends Dance fads

5. Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Generation Gap Teens now have spending money  Buying rock ‘n’ roll records Parents despised rock music  Corrupting their children Blamed rock music for youth rebellion  Parents didn’t understand independence and freedom

6. How to be a Beatnik

7. The Beatnik The Beat Generation Media stereotype Depicted superficial aspects of Beat Generation Black turtle neck sweaters Bongos, dark glasses, berets Post-WWII writers Rejection of received standards and materialism Interest in Eastern religion Celebrated non- conformity Counter Culture

8. The Beat Generation Jack Kerouac coined the term in 1948 Fore-runners for 1960s hippie culture “Beat” – beaten down/suppressed; upbeat/on the beat Literary movement from the 1950s  Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs  Helped liberalize American publishing Original Beat Generation members met in New York City, but then all found their way to San Francisco