selling adolescence

Yes, the social construction of adolescence is pretty interesting to think about. Historical context plays a significant role in how we understand so many things. I think we tend to take for granted that if something has any biological basis, that makes it "natural." However, society's understanding of those biological changes is entirely dependent on historical context. I think it is interesting that the article mentions changing economic contexts but doesn't mention the role that marketing has played in the development of adolescence, or youth, and a cultural category. The article does discuss the changing economic context and increased economic security contributed to the development of a new transitional category between childhood and adulthood.  

But, it does not mention that after WWII, the economic boom in the United States led to the development of a new marketing category: the teenager. This wasn't the first time adolescence had been created as a marketing category, but it grew exponentially when marketers realized that teens had a lot of disposable income that had not been there a decade before.  For example, the combination of changing technologies that led to the development of 45's and adolescent disposable income changed to a new youth market in music.  This is what led to the popularization of rock n roll.

 Furthermore, economic conditions can alter the biology of puberty. The article mentions that the increase in access to good nutrition over the last 50-100 years has contributed to earlier menarche.  More recently, the increase in use of hormonal injections in dairy and beef cows is believed to have caused an even more rapid decrease in the age of menarche for girls.  

This, too has had an impact on marketing.  The way the marketing of menstrual products has changed over time reflects changing societal beliefs about menstruation and the age at the onset of menstruation.  Those silly ads that say to "have a happy period" actually have significant cultural meaning.  heh heh.