When we think about mid-century teenagers, we likely think of characters brought to us by pop culture. Black and white images of Wally Clever or Mary Stone might come to mind. Colorful thoughts of sock hops, poodle skirts, and bad boys racing hot rods appear in our mind’s eye. But what about real teenagers? What did the collective “they” think was important to actual teens living in the 1950s and 1960s? Use good judgment and mind your manners.
I searched my collection of mid-century women’s magazines for content written for teens and found an advice column for teenage girls. Called “Life, Love, and Lipstick” , the one-page monthly Good Housekeeping article was sub-titled, “Tips for Teenagers”.
I found 5 different 1950s Life, Love and Lipstick articles from Good Housekeeping. The advice given outlined how to use good judgement and good manners in a variety of social situations. Take a look below.
The topic for the January 1959 edition of Good Housekeeping told what to do if the boy you like doesn’t have enough money to pay for a date. Should you offer to pay? Nope. The advice on “dutch treating” was to figure out ways to spend time with your favorite beau without a lot of cost.
What if you have both a best friend and a boyfriend? How do you spend time with your boyfriend without hurting the feelings of your best friend?
This nostalgic look at teens living in the fifties is fun to see. We see girlfriends on the couch looking at a record album cover while the boyfriend tunes a black and white TV. How fifties is that?
The image comes from the May 1959 edition of Good Housekeeping where the Love, Life, and Lipstick article was titled “When Threes a Crowd”.
What advice did they give to the girl who has a new boyfriend?
A smart girl makes sure that Best Friend and Best Beau aren’t always on the scene at the same time.
What about going to the theater? How should teen girls act when going to a formal play or concert?
It seems that rules for a theater were pretty specific in the 1950s.
Follow the usher to your seat; your escort follows you. (Exception: If there’s a foursome, the first boy precedes his date, so both girls will site between the boys.)
As the following article suggests: Don’t be late, don’t complain, and don’t draw any unnecessary attention to yourself.
There may be an occasion for you to visit your college boyfriend one weekend. What are the do’s and don’ts then?
If you visit your boyfriend at college, don’t be a pest. Don’t pack too much, don’t drink, don’t criticize, don’t agonize. (No answer to the obvious question. What are the sleeping arrangements?)
What about breaking up with your boyfriend? Are there rules for this life event too? Of course.
Do: Return gifts, Speak to him when you meet
Don’t: Keep his letters, Play your tragedy to a packed house
More Here (from a previous post)
Mid-Century Page 
0 comments on “Teen Life in the 1950s: Advice for Teenage Girls”