1950's Teens and Erik Erikson

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Famous psychologist, Erik Erikson believed that an individual passes through 8 unique stages in their lifetime. One of these stages is the identity vs. identity confusion stage. During this stage adolescents face a crisis where they must fill the gap between childhood security and adult autonomy. James Marcia expanded on Erikson’s theories, stating that in order to determine their identity adolescents will go through 4 individual statuses of identity development. Throughout the various ers'a (1950's, 1960's, and 1970's) adolescents have used different methods to express their individuality and create an idenity for themselves which is seperate from that of their parents and of prvious generations. Fashion was a common method used between all three era's to express individuality, rebelliousness, and help teenagers deal with this crisis/exploration stage, Fashion is a means of expression, and a statement. The 1950, marked the beginning of the rise of the teenager. It was during this era in which the teenager truly began to be segretaed as a group. The world was going through a time in history known as the “Cold War” and this created changes in the priorities of citizens. Left in the middle of this sudden change in society’s perspective, were the adolescents of the 1950s. With the focus on the children and the adults, they were left feeling isolated and neglected. In order to create an identity for themselves and to be noticed, teenagers embraced a whole different clothing style. Their main purpose was to rebel against authority. Mant adolescent females bean dressing in a more feminine fasion, contrary to their parents and previous generations who dressed incredibly conservatively and practically. Females also began wearing skirts abouve their knees. Their goal was no longer to be practical (which was necessary during war) but to look pretty and impress their
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