Society 1920′S (Wild Young People) Essay, Research Paper

1920 s Culture and Wild Young People

The roaring 20 s produced a new culture marked by its youth and consumerism

that often clashed with the traditions of older generations. Social values began to change, as self

expression emerged as a prized value by youth. Women s roles changed from the traditional

restrained Victorianism of the past. Views of work and who worked changed. Consumerism

gave birth to an expansion of mass entertainment and leisure activities. The restraint of the past

combined with present examples such as Prohibition caused a rebellious attitude in the younger

generation.

Self expression moved to the front as American s social values evolved. …clothes

became a means of self expression and personal freedom. Both men and women wore more

casual and gaily colored styles than their parents would have considered. (Norton p.703) Issues

that might have been whispered about became the focus of honest and open discussion. The

youth culture emerged separate from their parents and older adults. The new influences of the era

pushed youth into a life and activities viewed differently. The youth culture often shocked the

older traditionalists; : The line between acceptable and inappropriate behavior blurred as

smoking, swearing and frankness about sex became fashionable. (Norton p.703).

An alternate image of femininity emerged as women traded their Victorian looks for the

modern flapper style. Women s right to vote came to pass with the 19th amendment in 1920.

Women became more active in politics and rights issues. This spurned the change form the

submissive, heavily clothed women into a more aggressive, new style of femininity. …the short

skirts and bobbed hair of the 1920 s flapper signified independent-mindedness and sexual

freedom. The flapper look became fashionable among office workers and store clerks as well as

college coed. (Norton p.705).

Consumerism brought the industry of mass audience entertainment, Attendance to movies

increased along with sporting events. Movie stars fed the liberalism ideals of youth. Many critics

of the American consumerism culture were writers. Labeled as one of the Lost Generation F.

Scott Fitzgerald was a writer that criticized materialism and modern culture. Jazz music also

flourished; Evolving from African and black American folk music, early jazz communicated an

exuberance, humor, and authority… (Norton p.714).

John F. Carter Jr. defends the culture of the 1920 s in his article Wild Young People

(1920). Carter recognizes the pessimism of the older generation about the younger generation.

He labels them oldsters but does agree that we should analyze and find the cause of the youth

culture. Carter blames the oldsters for the youth s rebellion and change stating that the older

generation had certainly pretty well ruined this world before passing it on to us. Carter quotes a

Miss Katherin Fullerton Gerould who writes that her explanation for the youth is the decay of

religion. Carter points out that it is the same with most older generations to criticize the

younger. Just think how moral and unentertaining our generation will be when we have emerged

from the roaring forties ! and rejoice.

After seeing W.W.I, the chaos in Europe, greed, anger, and the religion of their parents

Carter comments we have been forced to become realists over night instead of idealists, as was

our birthright. His generation witnessed failed governments and opposing ideals of different

social systems. Instead of swallowing the disturbances, his generation reacted against it. We

have been forced to live in an atmosphere of tomorrow we die , and so, naturally we drank and

were marry.

Carter addresses several paints of criticism about the youngsters. He mentions F. Scott

Fitzgerald as the amazing young F and is open to honest criticism but explains himself well. He

understands that a cause of judgment or annoyance from the oldsters is our devastatingly and

brutal frankness , and because of the busy times there is no time for the noble procrastinations of

modesty. Carter also mentions that Prohibition will not stop them or made them good.

Carter admits that the youth have the characteristics presented in the Norton text but he

points to at least one positive thing about the youth that all can agree on- they work. Oh! I

know that we are a pretty bad lot, but has that not been true of every proceeding generation? At

least we have the courage to act accordingly. Our music is barbaric, our girls are distinctly not a

mixture of arbutus and barbed-wire. We drink…gamble…are extravagant- but we work.. Carter

looks with bittersweet longing at the characteristics of the oldsters, their shy, humble and

starry-eyed dispositions but explains that his generation cannot be the same. They face the facts

whether good or bad. Oldsters may be one way, But we aren t, and the best thing oldsters can

do about it is go into their respective backyards and dig for worms, great big pink ones….

Carter agrees that the wild young people of his generation can be criticized for some of

their habits, but he also presents that each older generation is critical of the younger generation.

He explains that one cause of their rebellion is how their parents handled the world and then left it

to them. Carter sums up by saying in essence this is the way we are and the oldsters can t do

much about it.