The transition from childhood into full-fledged teenager is a scary yet exciting phenomenon. Both males and females have fascinating new concerns and insights that, previously, were never an issue. A new, and predominately four-lettered, vocabulary. Dating. Hair in peculiar new places. Is that a pimple? But beside the obvious physical changes, that we so lovingly call puberty, the defining qualities of who teenagers are and how they came to be has a deeper history.
Prior to the 1950's and 60's, young adults weren't categorized in the way they are today. Youth culture and rebellion lead to a desire for young adults to emerge and define themselves in a new way. Jim Stark, better known as James Dean from Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause (1955), is a significant figure in the emergence of the "teenager." Dean's portrayal of Jim was not only a defining moment in the evolution of the teenager, but even today's youth culture can identify with his character. In the film, Jim is striving to find himself and where he belongs, much like most teenagers find themselves doing at some point during their adolescence. He struggles to find common ground with his parents, a common theme in many people lives, most predominately as teens and young adults. His style became a trend, whether it was his white t-shirt and jacket, smoking cigarettes, or a voluminous hairstyle, his look became a staple for other teens of his time, much like many young celebrities do for us today.
Growing up isn't always easy, it calls for many awkward stages, heartache, rumors and gossip, but the teenage years can be some of the best times of anyone's life. We are lucky enough today to live in a world where teens are able to express themselves, whether it be through music, art, clothing, tattoos and piercings, or just personal style. Hopefully we can look back on the first stand-out figures of teen rebellion and thank them for opeing the door for teens to be identified as a group who is still maturing and not stuck in a mold of who they are and what they must become. The sky is the limit.
Your perspective on teenagers and their evolution was very interesting. I loved how Rebel Without a Cause was and still is an accurate portrayal of the struggles many teens face. I think this film helped provide ideas of outlets for teen expression. Personal style and "coolness" are interesting to study from a teenagers perspective. Also, how the teenagers use personal expression as a coping mechanism was one of many themes in the film. I believe the movie spotlighted the problems that teens face in order that adults could be more aware of the causes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything in this blog. Watching Rebel Without a Cause, I saw the same struggles portrayed in the movie, still happening to this day. The way they look, trying to prove they can be accepted, and as you have stated, finding common ground with their parents. Each still a common problem that will always be here to stay. Your blog is very detailed and it proves that teenage struggle is still present to this day.
ReplyDeleteI like your and share your optimism for the teen perspective, and love your humor in naming the struggles teens face every day. The way you posed a sort of challenge for the teens of today to look to the first emerging icons of teen culture is creative and very intriguing. I also like the fact that you focused on the present and how it relates to the film, rather than focusing on only the ideas presented in "Rebel".
ReplyDeleteI think its very true that teenage years can be some of the best times in a person's life; although they can also be the most difficult. I like that you convey a type of appreciation for the generations before us who sort of paved the way for us to have our own identity, and that showed us it was okay to go against the grain sometimes...very good observations.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the blogs in our class your blog really stuck out to me. I really like the conversational tone your blog has. The first paragraph was humorous the way you analyzed the stage of puberty with hair and pimples. Overall though the blog is very well written and I couldn’t agree more with all of the points you made.
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