Freaky Friday

In 1972, the idea of adolescence as a distinct stage of life was still relatively new in the Western world. Changes in child labor laws at the turn of the century and an increasing emphasis on universal secondary education meant that most young people were no longer pressured to assume adult responsibilities as quickly as possible. During the early decades of the 20th century, adults began to wonder how society could best guide young people through this newly expanding stage between childhood and adulthood. At first, teenagers were usually kept close to the family and carefully supervised.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, however, American culture was changing. Americans began to value conformity less and individualism more. Many people embraced things that were once taboo—illegal drugs, casual sex, gender nonconformity, interracial relationships, skepticism about authority figures, and so on. There was a new emphasis on personal freedom and growth. In this cultural atmosphere, teenagers were also granted new freedoms. They spent more time away from their families and were given more room to express their individuality. People began to worry about what teenagers might be doing away from home with their friends, however. They worried about young people being exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sex.