American Girls in Popular Media: A Cultural History of Preadolescent Girls, 1890-1945

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Stella A Ress

American Girls in Popular Media

A Cultural History of Preadolescent Girls, 1890-1945

Stella A Ress

$189

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
15 February 2025

History of the Americas; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Media studies; Age groups: children; Family & relationships

The appearance of high-profile girl characters in popular culture media of all types soared between the years 1924, when Little Orphan Annie first appeared in the comic section of newspapers, to 1945, when teenage girls replaced their younger sisters in the spotlight. As such, girl culture of the 1920s through the 1940s experienced a boom in popularity. Despite the substantial impact that prepubescent and preadolescent girls had on society during this time, scholars have largely overlooked the experiences of these girls and their depictions in popular entertainment. American Girls in Popular Media: A Cultural History of Preadolescent Girls, 1890-1945 by Stella A. Ress addresses this gap by weaving together archival materials, newspaper articles, letters, images, comic strips, radio programs, film, and media content analysis both to tease out meaning from the varied depictions of young girls in popular culture and to uncover the voices and agency of those long silenced. This book explores how these portrayals helped address societal anxieties exacerbated by the depression and war, including generational conflicts, gender issues, racial tensions, and urban-rural divides. This transformation not only mirrored societal changes but also played a role in shaping perceptions of femininity, youth, and social values, leaving an indelible mark on American cultural history that continues to resonate today.

By: Stella A Ress
Imprint: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Country of Publication: United States
ISBN: 9781666946192
ISBN 10: 1666946192
Pages: 176
Publication Date: 15 February 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Stella A. Ress is associate professor in the Department of History at the University of Southern Indiana.

Reviews for American Girls in Popular Media: A Cultural History of Preadolescent Girls, 1890-1945

Stella A. Ress has written a lively, engaging book on the evolution of the perception―and image―of girls at a critical time in US social and cultural development. By using previous historical research, as well as the mass media of the era from 1890 to 1945, she has written a book that is a great addition to the historical field. --Cord A. Scott, University of Maryland Global Campus, Okinawa Through insightful analysis of comic strips, film, and radio, Ress reveals how portrayals of young girls from the 1920s to the 1940s helped Americans navigate and cope with the uncertainties of a rapidly changing society. --Elizabeth M. Matelski, Endicott College Visible or invisible, ideal or real, girlhood remains the central theme in Stella A. Ress's research concerning American girls within popular media as she examines and reimagines the 'intertwining' concepts of young girls from the turn of the century through the Second World War. Ress stresses the need to explore the complexity of girlhood through imagery, imagination and implacability. --Lisa Payne Ossian, Des Moines Area Community College