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

Paula Fass’s The Damned and the Beautiful: American Youth in the 1920's delves into the social and cultural climate of the 1920’s middle-class youth in America. Fass observes the multidimensional dynamics of the post-World War I society as citizens adjust to pertinent matters such as industrialization, prohibition and immigration. Amidst the ongoing social, political and economical 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 setting 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 style and dating and sexuality.

Internal changes within family units occurred during the Roaring Twenties. In contrast to Victorian family which was characterized by hierarchical structure and rigid social roles, a new idea of a compassionate family arose. Husbands and wives as well as parents and children shared more emotional relationships. Also, the family unit and social institutions were becoming increasingly separate 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 age of American citizens rose from 22.9 to 26.5 (58). The youth population from ages 15 to 24 years declined. Thus, there was a higher adult- to- youth ratio and more caretakers available to supervise children. As a result o...

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...table. Young women had to be careful in their behavior as they did not want to be labeled as “fast” (267). It was a social norm for young men and women to participate in petting. Petting was a wide range of physical 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 secure in their role as a future wife.

In conclusion, The Damned and the Beautiful: American Youth in the 1920's is a novel that describes several 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.