Women
How does the Flapper represent the “new woman”? Were the 1920’s successful for the women’s movement?
The Flapper represents the "New Woman" in many ways. the Flapper signifies the end of common stereotypes about women. It ends the traditional roles that women have always filled. It ends the era of women doing whatever the husband says. The Flapper was a great step forward in women's equality. She now expressed herself how she wanted, through her new style of dress, and through her new public behaviors. Flappers no longer stuck to the corsets and long dresses of the women before them. Now the Flappers were wearing light shorter dresses that allowed them to participate in sports and other active activities. The Flappers no longer waited for a man to come and propose a marriage. Flappers went out and had a good time. They danced and flirted; they smoked and drank. Flappers did represent the "New Women" but were not true "new women" due to many having a lack of education. Overall the 1920's were successful for the Women's Movement. The women gained many new rights and much needed equality. Women made great strides in political and social aspects. They gained the right to vote and too work. They were now able to dress how they wanted and do what they wanted. The women of the era were no longer dominated by the primarily male world. They now had a say of their own.
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Change and Continuity- Since the 1920's many things have changed regarding women and their rights. Today it is extremely acceptable, it is normal for a woman to be in the workforce. This was not the case in the 20's. In the 20's the women's workforce was growing but still at its infant stage It was becoming acceptable for women to work, but was there yet. The idea of women being able to express themselves in today's day and age is accepted and common. In the 1920's this was a new and radical idea. Many people resented the new role that the flappers were taking on. They disagreed with it and tried to fight it. The dress of women today can also be very expressive for women. They are free to wear whatever they choose. In the 1920's women were just starting to experiment with this idea. While many things have changed for women, the idea that there are people who think that women should be confined to classic home making roles has been there throughout all the years. No matter what women do, this will be the case.
Turning Point- The 1920's were a turning point for women's rights. Before the 1920's, women were given almost no rights and were confined to a small section of society. After the 1920's the role of women was expanded drastically. The progress made during the 1920's allowed women to gain equality under law and has lead to more and more equality for social aspects. This time period broke down many barriers that were holding women back. They allowed the modern women to develop. The 1920's were a turning point that gave women significantly more rights.
Turning Point- The 1920's were a turning point for women's rights. Before the 1920's, women were given almost no rights and were confined to a small section of society. After the 1920's the role of women was expanded drastically. The progress made during the 1920's allowed women to gain equality under law and has lead to more and more equality for social aspects. This time period broke down many barriers that were holding women back. They allowed the modern women to develop. The 1920's were a turning point that gave women significantly more rights.
How did the flappers change the view of women in the 1920’s?
The Flappers no longer wanted to conform to what society thinks a women should be. The flappers changed how they dressed and behaved to reflect this change in thought. The flappers moved away from the long dress and the corset of the years before and embraced shorter brighter dresses. They cut there hair and took a bob cut over long flowing hair. They also made it more socially acceptable for a women to smoke and drink in public. The Flappers also helped to make the working women become socially acceptable.
What gains did the Women’s Movement make during the 1920’s?
Before the women's movement, women have very little rights compared to men. In many places they could not own land and had no political rights; they could not vote. This angered women and brought them to fight for change. The women fought and received more political rights, property rights, and even secured the right to vote. Women also pushed for more working rights. Before, it was extremely difficult for women to find and hold jobs and when they did, they got paid very little compared to their male counterparts.
How was life different for women in the 1920s compared to the Progressive era (1900-1920)?
In the Progressive Era, Woman were pushing for any sense of equality. They wanted to be able to vote and work, but were mainly denied these rights. Married middle and upper class women were expected not to work, but to maintain the home. At the end of the Progressive era, women were considered by some to be the compass of morality. They tried to use this idea to guarantee voting rights but failed. The Women of the Roaring 20's had a different life because of the women before them. They were now allowed to be more present in the workforce which was a big improvement. This lead to more equality, and women could be more free. They now could live life how they wanted to live life. They could go out and dance and have a drink, with out a man. The traditional women role, while still very present, was starting to be broken down, leading to the freedom of today's women.
Apparts
- A- Ellen Welles Page- she was a writer for a magazine.
- P- 1922 in Outlook Magazine. This would affect the meaning of the source greatly. This time period had many differing outlooks on women’s rights and roles. Ellen Page just wanted the older generations to understand the different outlook on life that the flappers were taking.
- P- I know that the Flappers had a very different life style than the women of their parent’s era. The women of their parent’s era grew up in a traditional female role. The change from this role would have offended many so I understand why she wrote this.
- A- The intended audience of the source would be the parents of
the Flapper age. The parents who are
used to and expecting the children to follow the traditional female roles laid
out for them.
- R- This source was written because the older generations of the
time were being critical of the new generation.
The new generation was tired of this and wanted their parents and elders
to understand. Therefor the author wrote
this piece to try to explain the rationale of being a Flapper.
- T- The author is arguing that being a flapper isn't all
bad. She says that it takes a lot of
intuition and brains to be a Flapper and to live on your own. The author says that they are more developed
at this time I their lives than their parents were and that it needs to be this
way in order to keep up with society.
- S- This source is important because it explains the viewpoint
of many women of the 1920’s. It
represents their attitudes towards their role in society. This allows us to see the troubles they went
through during their lives. This
document represents the thoughts of almost all the new generations.