This work investigates the fundamental shift in American youth culture during the 1920s and how this generational break from Victorian norms reshaped the trajectory of modern American society. Paula S. Fass, a historian specializing in the social history of childhood and education, utilizes a wide array of primary sources, including college records, student publications, and demographic data. She argues that the 1920s served as the crucible for the modern youth identity, characterized by increased autonomy, peer-group orientation, and the rejection of traditional parental authority. The book provides a framework for understanding how these historical developments established the patterns of adolescent behavior and social interaction that persist into the present day.

Historians and sociologists frequently cite this text as a foundational study for understanding the origins of modern American adolescence. Readers often note the academic rigor and the depth of the archival research presented throughout the chapters.