Teenager
Adolescence (from Latin adolescere ‘to mature’) is a transitional stage of human physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood (typically corresponding to the age of majority). Adolescence is usually associated with the teenage years, but its physical, psychological or cultural expressions may begin earlier or end later. Puberty typically begins during preadolescence, particularly in females. Physical growth (particularly in males) and cognitive development can extend past the teens. Age provides only a rough marker of adolescence, and scholars have not agreed upon a precise definition. Some definitions start as early as 10 and end as late as 30. The World Health Organization definition officially designates adolescence as the phase of life from ages 10 to 19.
The term “teenager” originated around 1944 as a marketing concept to define the 13-to-19-year-old demographic. Advertising executives identified this group as a new consumer market, and the concept gained prominence after World War II with the rise of disposable income and the development of a distinct youth culture, as reflected in new media like high school and modern teen magazines.
The Origin of the Word
- “-teen” Suffix: The word “teenager” is derived from the English word “teenage,” which itself comes from the “-teen” suffix found in the numbers thirteen through nineteen (thir-teen, four-teen, etc.).
- Early Usage: The suffix “teen” has been used since the late 17th century to refer to the years between 13 and 19. The word “teen” as a noun for a teen-aged person was first recorded in 1818, but it didn’t become common until the early 20th century.
The “Invention” of the Teenager
- A New Concept: The idea of a distinct “teenager” as a separate stage of life between childhood and adulthood is a relatively recent development.
- Marketing and Consumerism: The term “teenager” was popularized in the 1940s by advertisers looking to sell to this new, identifiable demographic.
- Post-War Factors: The concept of the teenager solidified in the postwar era (1950s) due to a combination of factors:
- Economic Prosperity: Increased disposable income and a growing post-war economy allowed for new consumer markets.
- Education: The extension of compulsory education created a longer period where young people were not fully in the workforce.
- Technology: New technologies like the portable transistor radio allowed teenagers to consume music and media in ways that fostered a shared youth culture.
- Youth Culture: A distinct “youth culture” began to emerge, characterized by unique fashions, music preferences, and cultural expressions that differentiated young people from their parents.
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/history/comments/76yyf8/when_did_the_demographic_category_of_teenager_or/
[2] https://boundlesstheatre.org.uk/we-are-boundless/the-origin-of-the-teenager/
[3] https://dp.la/exhibitions/children-progressive-era/childhood-postwar-america/teenage-culture
[4] https://upfront.scholastic.com/issues/2024-25/051225/the-invention-of-the-teenager.html
[5] wikipedia/en/Teenager_(word)
[6] https://www.etymonline.com/word/teenager
[7] https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-definition-of-a-teenager-When-did-the-term-originate
[9] https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2018/02/brief-history-teenagers/