The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager

                                                

The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager

 

By Thomas Hine

 

                                                         http://youtu.be/tlyOSRTxglA

 

REFLECTION:

          It was refreshing reading about Thomas Hine views regarding teenagers; he made excellent points of how the American teenager has been labeled from a century ago and now. Taking us going back on time and reminding us that during the ’industrial time in America” there were “teens” and children that had to work to provide financial support to their families and this was expected of them. Teens are “all the same” according to our society there is no individuality, and value or agency when it comes to someone who is in time of experimentation, transition. Therefore “All of them according to our society are basically experiencing the same things’. The word “teen” has some interesting obsolete that seem to echo faintly today. For seven centuries “teen” meant a source of anger, irritation, or anxiety. It also meant barrier. I quote.

 

            But why this hasn’t change is it because we don’t want or we are just use to it in other words is it our IDEOLOGY  or Consent described by Gramsci (MEDIA and IDEOLOGY as “something that is won; ruling groups in society actively seek to have their worldview accepted by all members of society as the universal way of thinking”. Examples: schools, religion and of course the media given to us. Adults fear that teenagers will go totally out of control. The teenage years have been defined as, at once, the best and freest of life and a time of near madness and despair. Hine calls it “teenage mystique  Hine is trying to open our eyes and to be more understanding of what teenagers are going through and embrace their potential and individuality and not to alienate them. Keeping in mind that they are our future and they are the ones who eventually while be in charge.