But now, in a strikingly different type of economy, the economic prospects of middle-class teenagers have changed for the worse, changing their musical sensibilities.
Many of these young dirt farmers found their economic prospects hopeless, squeezed between a usurious credit system practiced by stores and substantial crop liens inflicted by landlords.
The latter appeared to reflect weak consumer sentiment, broader uncertainty about economic prospects, and -- in some economies -- concern about high public debt levels.
On other occasions, when investors are feeling pessimistic about the near-term economic prospects, they price wonderful businesses at absurdly low valuations.
Without proper educational qualifications, even the minority of the children who escape their plight lack the skills to be competitive in the labor market and thus, face grim economic prospects.
