Children in Progressive-Era America

<h2>Suburbia</h2>
In the economic boom of the post World War II-era, housing was in high demand. Through a provision of the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act, a mortgage program provided for returning soldiers in 1944. People were eager to buy homes and settle down, away from crowded cities that afforded little space for their children to play. Enterprising developers went to work building spaces that could specifically accommodate families.
Dr. Spock’s bestselling book on parenting, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, implored parents towards a more empathetic style of parenting, through which children’s needs were listened to and understood. Rigid schedules and firm rules for children were slowly discarded, and children occupied a more empowered position in postwar families. The suburban homes that many families lived in reflected this, with designated playrooms and spacious yards.
However, the safe parks and new schools that so attracted families were not enjoyed by all in the postwar period. Facilities were racially segregated throughout the South, and African American children might be educated in dilapidated army barracks, while their white peers learned in a new and spacious school building.

Photograph of girls tap dancing, Manchester, Georgia, 1953

Photograph of two women and a boy sweeping the streets, Clarkesville, Georgia, 1953

Photograph of African American students in a classroom, Habersham County, Georgia, 1953

Childhood in Postwar America

Work Life

Reform

Public Health

Play

Children's Organizations

Photograph of cheerleaders, Manchester, Georgia, 1953

Pine Mountain Regional Library

Digital Library of Georgia

The term "teenager" was first introduced to the American public in the 1940s as a moniker coined by advertising executives looking to sell their products to a new audience. The concept of a distinct "youth culture" had begun to develop in the 1920s, but throughout the Great Depression and World War II, young Americans were expected to put aside any frivolous activities or unnecessary spending for the sake of the nation’s well-being.
The 1950s were marked by the emergence of a distinct teen culture. Seeking to distance themselves from the culture of their parents, teenagers turned to rock and roll music and youth-oriented television programs and movies—all packaged for them through new marketing strategies targeting their demographic.
Teen culture in the 1950s also marked an important shift in American race relations. Most teenagers during this time attended segregated or near-segregated schools, and interracial interaction was limited. However, rock and roll appealed to teenagers from many backgrounds, and rock concerts often hosted mixed-race audiences. White teenagers embraced the music of African American musicians like Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry, while African American teenagers listened to white rock and rollers, such as Elvis.

Photograph of five teenage girls with ice cream cones, Gainesville, Georgia, 1950s

Children in Progressive-Era America

Teenage Culture

Teenage Culture