When did the idea of the teenager come into existence?
A) with the invention of the printing press
B) soon after the American Revolution
C) when compulsory education and child-labor laws were enacted
D) with the recognition of child abuse and neglect as a social problem

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The idea of the teenager came into existence when compulsory education and child-labor laws were enacted. These laws required that children attend school and prohibited them from working long hours in factories or other labor-intensive jobs. This created a new age group, distinct from both children and adults, who were neither fully independent nor fully dependent on their parents. This led to the recognition of the "teenager" as a distinct social category with its own unique needs and interests.

When Did the Idea of the Teenager Come into Existence