1950's Teddy Boys

The Teddy Boys were recognised for their Edwardian dress code. They experiemented with 'dandy' fashion statements, appearances and practices as an anitidote to Poverty (Frywell 1963). They listened to American Rock and Roll music, (some artists included Elvis Presley and James Dean) (Brak 1985). They used both narcisism and dandyism at the same time.

In articles they were described as 'teenage terrorists' to create a public scare. In another article they were described as 'very nauseating specimens of English youth... They are an awful disgrace to Brighton'. In other articles aggressive language was used to exaggerate the behaviour of the group. The other party involved were described as minor and small, suggesting that the Teddy boys were more dangerous, while they are at the bottom of the authority ladder. The teddy boys were an easy target for the media to blame because they had this reputation.

The Teddy Boys are associated with violence driven from a 'butch' dandyism, which sought to protest working class masculinity. They were apparently worse in winter because of the lack of jobs and access of places to go. In another article they were said to be that way becuase they lacked religious belief, which put them into darkness.