The decade of the 1920s was sexier than ever before. It was a decade of sexual progression and equal rights to sexual satisfaction. Sexy became arousing, and the economic and political lives of Americans were influenced by this new morality. Because of this new sex craze it had older Americans feeling that America was “in danger of going to hell in a handbasket.” The attitudes and behaviors of youths and young middle-class men and women led to new dances, wearing skimpy dresses, and public proclamations about sexual emancipation. It was unavoidable too; media publicized this rage in magazines, movies, and newspapers. It wasn’t only the talk of sex that extended across America. By the end of the decade contraceptives and sexual activity were widespread too. America broke away from society’s boundaries during the 1920s and guided us into a sexual morality evolution.
Q1. It was after World War I that America saw an increase in sexual behaviors. Did the return of deployed soldiers to America cause an increase in society’s libido?
Q2. Even though there was a widespread acceptance of contraceptives, do you think abortions increased in the 1920s because of new sexual behaviors such as petting? Why?
There was definitely a sexual revolution in the 1920's, but was it caused by the changing of society and people beliefs and ideals? No, it was started by opportunity. Not too long before young men didn’t have cars, movies didn’t have sound, sex wasn’t readily available. There has always been sex and sexual innuendos around. It’s burned into our very fiber of being, to reproduce. If it didn’t feel good there wouldn’t be a driving need for it. There was more opportunity than ever for people to get together in private situations to do some heavy petting. Little by little books movies, and magazines starting getting more sexual. Progression is a large part of what happened. People will put out there what they want to see and hear, hence the advent of sexually driven magazines and movies. Soldiers most likely played a small part in sexual revolution. There have been wars for years, soldiers have always been the same. The introduction of one thing leads inevitably to another. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Introduce contraceptives into the marketplace to curb pregnancy and disease, more people will see that as an opportunity to use those contraceptives. If they are available it’s probably ok to use them right? Abortion probably wasn’t a big concern, lots of fathers with shotguns in the 20’s I’m sure, abortions was low and births were high.
ReplyDelete