British Youth 1950s-2010s

1950s
The 1950s was a key turning point for British youth as people began to challenge old social and cultural norms thus leading to increased affluence and freedom, particularly for the youth.
With Britain's rising affluence the influence of jazz, rock and roll and new movies and television all became more prominent within society.
The television broadcast of the Queen's coronation in 1953 increased TV sales.

Teddy Boys: typified by young men wearing clothes that were inspired by the Edwardian period. They subverted from societal ideas and were negatively portrayed by the media thus gaining a reputation of rebellion and violence.

Took inspiration from American music and television including Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock), Eddie Cochran (Summertime Blues and Bill Haley (Rock Around The Clock).

One key influence was James Dean whose most notable works include East of Eden and Rebel Without A Cause. He epitomised an age that had previously not existed, gratifying the youth with a character they could finally relate or look up to.

1960s


1970s


1990s


2000s
Music: Invention of the iPod introduced a new era for music.
Birth of YouTube and MySpace and the increase in legal music streaming sites.

Post-Brit Pop: After the success of British rock bands in the 90s there was still a heavy focus, at least during the early 00s, on bands such as Radiohead, Blur and Oasis. Their success laid the foundation for bands such as Coldplay to usher in a new era of Brit pop.
Female Singers: Female artists such as Amy Winehouse, Natasha Beddingfield and Adele were extremely successful as well as American female singers including Beyonce and Lady Gaga.

Icons such as Eminem had a huge cultural impact on society with his music video 'Stan' being heavily criticised and even banned for its violent storyline of a deranged fan who kills his pregnant girlfriend and himself.

The Noughties was the decade which saw the rise of Pixar films; all of which achieved huge box office success (Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Cars). The 00's also introduced the Harry Potter film franchise to the world which soon became the most successful movie franchise of all time before being beaten by the untold success of the Marvel franchise.
Popular Films: Mean Girls, Superbad, St. Trinian's and Shaun of the Dead.

The Birth of the Chav: an informal British derogatory term meaning a young lower-class person who displays brats and loutish behaviour and wears real or imitation designer clothes.
On-Screen: Little Britain, St. Trinian's and Some Girls.

2010s
Boom of Social Media sites: Vine, Instagram and Facebook.
Varied music influences in the UK Charts.
Disney buying Lucas Films and the Marvel franchise had a huge impact on the film industry with the untold success of the new Star Wars films (The Force Awakens and Rogue One) and the increasing and consistent success of the Marvel film franchise (The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy).
Rise of Netflix, Amazon Prime (Amazon Fire Stick).

World Events:
London Riots in 2011 increased the fear of 'hoodies' and 'hoodie horror' as the media quickly sensationalised those involved in the riots spreading fear in society.