Adopting a historical-critical perspective, From Flappers to Rappers traces the origins of youth in the Roaring Twenties, a distinct form of culture that was revived by the rock and roll rebels of the 1950s, to an increasingly inclusive Digital era at the turn of the 21st century. Positioning youth culture as a 20th century social experiment that is coming to an end, Marcel Danesi discusses the various musically-defined eras that saw rise to hippie culture, punk, disco, and the hip-hop movement, among other social groups.

The chapters explore how these generations were instrumental in the fight against racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and sexual repression. This accessible book analyzes how society is evolving in an age of globalization and new technologies that threaten youth culture, and questions what this shift implies for the world today. This textbook is an invaluable resource for students and teachers of sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies.