The effect I think "The Hook" would have on teenagers in the 1950s would be to not make out at random "Lover's Lane/Cove" type places. Their parents would not have wanted their kids to probably get pregnant and become parents at such young ages, so I guess these "Hook" stories worked in rural areas. Asylum and jail breakouts were common in those times without the types of technology they have today. With this being said, teenagers, today would not believe in this story. Also, I would say gun laws are more lenient than before, depending on a state by state cases, so people can defend themselves more easily. Also, video and live stream technology exist so teenagers today will have an assurance that the attacker will be caught if they are attacked.
I think at the time most teenagers would believe it and be scared. This would probably encourage them not to go out. This story might not have the same affect today because these days Americans are so stubborn and once they believe in something, they won't or don't want to change that perspective. If you try to offer a different perspective, they see that as an attack. Today, teenagers think that these things/dangers might not happen to them so they tend to be careless.
