Social Movements and Trends
Social Movements and Trends: Sexual Liberation
Dewayne Conner
HIS 145/ University of Phoenix
Professor Battaglia
In the 1960’s, America was in a state of continuous change. America was seeing a new trend and one of these changes was sexual revolution. The ultra-conservative ways of the country were on a steady decline, and liberalism was at an all-time high. Citizens were beginning to be outspoken when questioning their government about its activities. Housewives were challenging the “stay-at-home” norms, and the youth of America was beginning to have a voice. Sexual liberation became a very heavy subject on the minds of citizens and politicians alike. The sexual revolution that took place in the 1960’s not only was a catalyst to the voice of political reform, women’s rights, and gay and lesbian rights, it also resulted in some serious changes in the way America viewed sexual activities for women. Medical reform on women’s reproductive rights was introduced, a new relaxation of censorship laws erupted, and traditional societal norms were challenged. One of the major catalysts for the sexual liberation during the 1960s was the introduction of the birth control pill, also known as the “Pill”. In the 1960s the Pill went on the market. Unlike any other previously available form of contraception, the pill was both reliable and controlled by a woman herself. The taking of this pill did require neither the consent nor the knowledge of her sexual partner (Cohen). Many Americans view the sexual revolution as an idea that sparked from the Flower Child counter-culture, which was blazing across America like a wildfire. With the increased drug activity, and the ever-popular phrase “Make Love, Not War,” free love and sexual liberation went hand in hand with the reform on society the hippie’s lifestyle stood for (Sexuality & Modernity: The Sexual Revolution of the 60s). Refusing anti-capitalism views, the hippies pushed
Dewayne Conner
HIS 145/ University of Phoenix
Professor Battaglia
In the 1960’s, America was in a state of continuous change. America was seeing a new trend and one of these changes was sexual revolution. The ultra-conservative ways of the country were on a steady decline, and liberalism was at an all-time high. Citizens were beginning to be outspoken when questioning their government about its activities. Housewives were challenging the “stay-at-home” norms, and the youth of America was beginning to have a voice. Sexual liberation became a very heavy subject on the minds of citizens and politicians alike. The sexual revolution that took place in the 1960’s not only was a catalyst to the voice of political reform, women’s rights, and gay and lesbian rights, it also resulted in some serious changes in the way America viewed sexual activities for women. Medical reform on women’s reproductive rights was introduced, a new relaxation of censorship laws erupted, and traditional societal norms were challenged. One of the major catalysts for the sexual liberation during the 1960s was the introduction of the birth control pill, also known as the “Pill”. In the 1960s the Pill went on the market. Unlike any other previously available form of contraception, the pill was both reliable and controlled by a woman herself. The taking of this pill did require neither the consent nor the knowledge of her sexual partner (Cohen). Many Americans view the sexual revolution as an idea that sparked from the Flower Child counter-culture, which was blazing across America like a wildfire. With the increased drug activity, and the ever-popular phrase “Make Love, Not War,” free love and sexual liberation went hand in hand with the reform on society the hippie’s lifestyle stood for (Sexuality & Modernity: The Sexual Revolution of the 60s). Refusing anti-capitalism views, the hippies pushed