"On the Rise: 1937" (Library Research)

                 Perhaps, I thought as I skimmed through a March and April issue of Life Magazine from the year of 1937, I was born during the wrong time.

                Of course, the Great Depression, the suppression of rights, gender and racial inequalities, and world wars by no means sound appealing; however, the charm and sophistication that life in 1937 portrayed seemed so inviting. From the advertisements to the featured articles, life appeared glamorous and delightful for the young, up-and-coming generation of the time. How could the impersonal, technologically savvy life today compete with the innocence, luxurious fashion, discoveries, galas, and advertisements of 1937? As I flipped through this gigantic file, I was in awe at the comicality and simplicity of their stories and photographs, while uncovering a new-found respect for the themes of the magazine. Yes, I thought, perhaps I was born during the wrong time.

                Today, if one is to look at magazines stacked upon the store shelves, the featured article is normally about a famous celebrity, one radiating a sensual allure and sexual aura. In 1937, however, the woman of the featured article was none other than Eleanor Roosevelt, the first lady of the time and an active civil rights advocate. No disrespect is intended towards Eleanor, but to be frank, she would not be seen today as the ideal cover girl; in modern times, she would not be considered to be among the popularity ranks of women like Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Selena Gomez, or Rachel McAdams.  Rather, in the year of 1937, the magazine decided to highlight a woman not only for her physical beauty or for popularity amongst the many, but for her power, self-respect, and commitment to her country and to the rights of others. Even though physical beauty may not have been Eleanor’s strongest aspect, she was still recognized for the other honorable qualities that she encompassed. My eyes carefully read each detail about her, from her childhood to her teen years, realizing that the fears, insecurities, and self-doubt she experienced while growing up is so similar to what we all feel during those developmental years, and even in moments today.

                It was most surprising for me to learn about Eleanor's road to self-acceptance and maturity, as she married at the young age of 19. To imagine my own self marrying and taking responsibility for a husband and family at this age is overwhelming; I doubt that I could successfully handle the emotional and physical commitments that it would entail. For Eleanor, it seemed like the natural thing to do, and perhaps for her, it was the turning point in her life- the moment when she became a woman for herself, and the wife of the future president of the United States. To read about Eleanor's journey and coming-of-age was inspiring, as I was heavily reminded of why I respect her as a woman, and as an influential individual of our country’s history.

                Along with my awe-stricken expression while reading about 1937's cover girl, I was pleasantly surprised by the advertisements. For the advertisements, I noticed there was a trending theme emphasizing finding a mate, improving one's physical appearance, and overall becoming a "gentleman" or a "lady". These coming-of-age themes seem to mirror themes of today's ads - how to be cooler, how to be prettier, how to be more appealing to the opposite sex. Although it seems nothing has changed between then and now, it has. In the 1930's, the way to become more desirable and to "come-of-age" was to develop manners, social etiquette, and tasteful fashion; young females were encouraged to be "respectable ladies", while young men were encouraged to be "a lady's gentleman." Today, however, the path of "coming-of-age" and attracting a mate has changed. Ads today are accused of degrading women, being distasteful, and encouraging sex, alcohol, and drugs. Hence, themes of then and now may be similar, but the presentation of such themes are inarguably different. 

                Coming-of-age in the 1930's is an experience that leaves me filled with wonder. It also makes me question the ethics and morals that are currently in the media, as the media will highly impact individuals who are coming of age today, just as it did in the 1930’s as well. Overall, the natural charm of this 1937 issue leaves me smiling, thinking of what life could have been.