Growing Up America: Youth and Politics since 1945

Growing Up America explores the role of children and teenagers in shaping American political life after the Second World War, highlighting their dynamic and complex roles in the midcentury rights revolutions, cultural norms, and foreign policy. The anthology reveals how young people have acted as political actors and subjects, extending beyond organized activism and the ballot box.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2019
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

Growing Up America is a groundbreaking collection of new scholarship that delves into the profound impact of children and teenagers on shaping American political life during the decades following the Second World War. This insightful anthology takes a fresh perspective by centering young people and their representations at the heart of significant political trends. It sheds light on the dynamic and multifaceted roles played by youth in the mid-century rights revolutions, the construction and critique of cultural norms, and the navigation of American foreign policy and diplomatic relations.

The authors featured in this anthology offer a revealing glimpse into how young individuals have acted as both political actors and subjects throughout the early Cold War, the late twentieth-century Age of Fracture, and beyond. They demonstrate how youth have been instrumental in driving political change, participating in organized activism, and exercising their democratic rights. However, Growing Up America goes beyond mere activism and electoral participation. It argues that the politics of childhood and youth extend far beyond formal political arenas. By exploring how science fairs, breakfast nooks, Boy Scout meetings, home economics classrooms, and correspondence became political spaces, this anthology challenges our understanding of modern politics and encourages a reevaluation of its scope and nature.

Through its comprehensive analysis, Growing Up America provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between children, teenagers, and the broader political landscape. It sheds light on the ways in which young people have been both agents of change and victims of societal forces, challenging us to consider the ways in which their experiences and perspectives shape the future of American society. This anthology is a valuable resource for scholars, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the role of youth in shaping the nation's political history and future.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820356648