Response to The Damned and the Beautiful: American Youth in the 1920s

Paula Fasss The unholy and the Beautiful American youth in the 1920s delves into the social and cultural climate of the 1920s middle-class youthfulness in America. Fass observes the multidi handssional dynamics of the post-World War I society as citizens align to pertinent matters such as industrialization, prohibition and immigration. Amidst the ongoing social, political and scotch issues of the early twentieth century, youth played an active role in contemporary life. Adolescents responded to issues through altering their habits, behaviors and viewpoints. Their responses became evident in the public fit and American culture evolved. The transformation of American culture was spearheaded by youth who questioned and went against cultural norms of past generations. Societal changes were visible through family, education, socialization, fashion and tendency and dating and sexuality. Internal changes within family units occurred during the Roaring Twenties. In contrast to twee f amily which was characterized by hierarchical structure and rigid social roles, a bran-new idea of a compassionate family arose. Husbands and wives as well as parents and children shared out more emotional relationships. Also, the family unit and social institutions were becoming increasingly purloin spheres. The family remained personal, while social environments were impersonal. The notion of an affectionate family framed the emergence of demographic changes. Birth rates fell and the life expectancy rose. From 1900 to 1930, the median shape up of American citizens rose from 22.9 to 26.5 (58). The youth population from ages 15 to 24 long time declined. Thus, there was a higher adult- to- youth ratio and more caretakers accessible to supervise children. As a result o... ...table. Young women had to be awake in their behavior as they did not want to be label as fast (267). It was a social norm for young men and women to participate in petting. Petting was a wide range of fle shly contact, varying from kissing to fondling. An investigation reported that 92% of women petted at least once in their life (266). Petting parties occurred often and women gained popularity by partaking in petting. Intercourse between married couples was tolerable partly because women felt plug away in their role as a future wife.In conclusion, The Damned and the Beautiful American Youth in the 1920s is a novel that describes some(prenominal) elements that were changed in the Roaring Twenties. Family, education, socialization, fashion and style and dating and sexuality were redefined. Youth challenged pervious cultural norms and impacted modern society.