Sex, New Morality
...umstances and to make passionate love to her, and in return she is expected to show him a good time as he shows her (Forman, 342).” The young men and women went against their parent’s wishes and turned to the media and peers to guide them through young adulthood. This underlies the ideals of “New Morality” in America; girls had no problem being ‘treated’ to a night out in return for sexual favors (Peiss, 303). Without guidance and with a lack of experience young males and females made their own decisions which did in fact oppose recent traditions of Victorianism. Another key media related topic that influenced the youth to express sexual liberation was the dances of this time which were called “Tough dances”. “Tough dances” are provocative and indecent dances that had its origins in houses of prostitution but then during the transformation to “New Morality” made its way out into public dance halls (Reformers, 282). Some examples of “tough dances” are the “slow rag”, the “lovers two step” and the “bunny hug” which were not liked by the older generations of the communities. Furthermore, songs and lyrics relayed the message on to America that courting, treating, and the age of “New Morality” were upon us. One song about courting and marriage in America states, “ But here lovemaking is alright, actually it’s beautiful, the father thinks of dollars, the brother thinks of girls, That’s why the road is clear, the doors are open. You call her. Come down.” (Farfariello,282). This explains the openness and sexual liberation that has evolved due to the individualism and media of this time. These three key parts of the media: “tough dances”, movies, and songs surrounded Americans and urged them to consume and take part in sexual expressiveness and activities. I believe media explained the “New Morality” best and opposed the Victorian beliefs completely. Next, I will discuss individualism among youths, which I believe made it possible for the media to have such a large role in this transformation. Individualism of the youth at this time resulted for one main reason; the youth obtained jobs and were able to have more freedom because of their contribution to the family. Individualism and freedom from the family allowed them to learn from the media and to discuss sexuality openly with whomever they please; most likely only their peers. Young men and women could also choose partners without parental supervision. This was a change from previous generations and did in fact take a huge toll in ‘sexual liberation’ among America. As stated in the Traffic of Women, young men and women that went out dancing and petting were in fact very sexually active (Goldman, 286). It was no big thing if a woman went out with a man and had sex with him afterwards for him treating her the night, these ladies were known as “charity girls” (Peiss,304, Goldman,285). Men would ask women to go out and women would say yes to any man and stay late with any man that would pick them up first (Peiss,304), they understood the social and economic advantages of the exchange of sexual favors; also known as ‘treating’ (Peiss, Charity Girls and City Pleasure). Youth independence allowed for young people to be involved in easily going sexual relations without guidance or experience which characterizes the “New Morality” of America between the ages of 1890-1920. Furthermore, I will discuss how the roles of new leisure and recreational use urged and allowed Americans to engage in sexual activities that were previously not permitted. Many forms of leisure and recreation added to and allowed the change to “New Morality” in the early 20th century. Social clubs, dance halls, and amusement parks all expressed and affirmed heterosocial interactions (Peiss, 301). This urged the men to treat women to a night out in return for sexual favors; ‘treating’. Also, the leisure of the “New Morality” pushed women into the desire of becoming popular and to draw attention to themselves by dressing fancy, the willingness to drink, and ability to dance; also known as ‘petting’(Peiss,301). The newly introduced roles of leisure and recreation made it fairly easier for the youth to take part in sexu...