The Modern Age: Turn-of-the-Century American Culture and the Invention of Adolescence

199 Pages·2008·1.21 MB·English

by  Kent Baxter

The Modern Age

The Modern Age
Turn- of- the- Century American Culture
and the Invention of Adolescence
Kent Baxter
the university of alabama press
Tuscaloosa
Copyright © 2008
The University of Alabama Press
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0380
All rights reserved
Manufactured in the United States of America
Typeface: Caslon
∞
The paper on which this book is printed meets the minimum requirements of
American National Standard for Information S ciences- Permanence of Paper for
Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984.
ISBN 978-0-8173-5698-9 (pbk: alk. paper)
A previous edition of this book has been catalogued by the Library of Congress.
Library of Congress C ataloging- in- Publication Data
Baxter, Kent.
The modern age : turn- of- the- century American culture and the invention of
adolescence / Kent Baxter.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8173-1626-6 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8173-8074-8
(electronic) 1. Adolescence—U nited S tates—H istory—19th century. 2. Adolescence—
United States— History—20th century. 3. Teenagers—U nited States— History—
19th century. 4. Teenagers—U nited States— History—20th century. 5. Teenagers—
United States— Societies and c lubs— History—19th century. 6. Teenagers—U nited
S tates— Societies and c lubs— History—20th century. 7. Alger, Horatio, 1832–1899—
Fictional works. 8. Stratemeyer, Edward, 1862-1930—Fictional works. I. Title.
HQ796.B3434 2008
305.2350973—dc22
2008010013
For Angela and Graeme

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1. New Kids on the Block: School Reform, the Juvenile Court,
and Demographic Change at the Turn of the Century 21
2. G. Stanley Hall, Margaret Mead, and the Invention of
Adolescence 44
3. Every Vigorous Race: Age and Indian Reform
Movements 73
4. Playing Indian: The Rise and Fall of the Woodcraft Youth
Movements 93
5. Teen Reading at the Turn of the Century (Part I):
Horatio Alger 116
6. Teen Reading at the Turn of the Century (Part II):
Edward Stratemeyer 136
Notes 155
Selected Bibliography 175
Index 179

Acknowledgments
Completing this book would never have been possible without the sup-
port and encouragement of Jim Kincaid, whose brilliant insights into age
categories and enthusiasm about this topic have both inspired and en-
lightened my work in innumerable ways. Joseph Boone has been an in-
credible mentor over the years; his thoughtful and patient guidance has
helped me grow as both a writer and a scholar. Peggy Kamuf contributed
greatly to this project in its early stages and, as a teacher, introduced me to
ideas that continue to resonate in much of my work.
I have the privilege of working with some wonderful colleagues in
children’s and young adult literature at California State University,
Northridge—C harles Hatfi eld, Dorothy Clark, and Jackie Stallcup—
whose knowledge and creativity always extend my learning and challenge
my ideas in new and interesting ways. Joseph Thomas has also been a great
colleague and offered a good deal of intellectual and moral support with
the research and publishing process. Scott Andrews generously provided
assistance with my research on Indian boarding schools. Carol N ackenoff
shared her extensive knowledge of Horatio Alger with me, providing sug-
gestions for my analysis and advice on editions. Kimberly Embleton kindly
helped out with the research of some of the more obscure texts. And my
good friend Kevin Volkan gave some invaluable advice on the publishing
process.
Special thanks to the staff members at The University of Alabama
Press, who have been incredibly responsive and professional in bringing
this book to print.
Part of the work for this project was completed under the auspices of a
Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity award and a College of Hu-