The 1950's were notable for the cold war, the beginning of rock and roll, and the sudden explosive presence of teenagers in media, home life, and society. As teenagers gained media recognition through music that sang about teen love and high school or tv shows that showcased a main teenage cast member that had their problems focused on, society became more aware of them as a demographic. The age of maturity had been raised, and people that were no longer kids, but had no obligation to start families and become adults, needed things to do. These "things to do" were often seen as unseemly by adults, so lots of rules were enforced. These rules were particularly harsh on teenage girls, as they were needed to begin preparations to take care of their families in the future.
The Catcher in the Rye likely played a large part in the growth of the visibility of teenagers, as it was published at the very beginning of the decade, while rock music and television shows occurred more around the middle.
The Catcher in the Rye likely played a large part in the growth of the visibility of teenagers, as it was published at the very beginning of the decade, while rock music and television shows occurred more around the middle.