Sexual Revolution in the 20th Century

Not for long can the question of sexuality or its morality can be ignored. However one tried to compress but individuals are driven and lead their actions with somewhere or the other a desire for sex. Focus should be exerted on the morality of sexuality and now the changing scenarios In this arena. And not only the various investments but also how are they factored and structure keeping in mind different questions of science, administration, law and economics. The main question that strikes our mind is that if sexuality is present in numerous moralities and ways and what would be the result if it is hindered, or transitioned in the effort of making it at par neutral. How so is it or will be altered that the focuses shifts from norm to normal. It was also mentioned that ‘‘The sexual life of savages has long awaited its natural historian'.

What becomes vital is to restructure the concept of sexuality as a whole. For doing so a close examination had to be done, in which individual victims must be inquired which would then raise important pertinent questions and would also help in drawing a wholesome conclusion. Individuals might face different problems but the root almost stays the same. Even while using insights to draw conclusions one must choose those which are generally present and acceptable. “Sex' is a vehicle for moral objectives, and the ‘‘objectification of sex’’ is a moral act. What, then, are the effects of development projects that objectify sexuality?. The goal of a sexual revolution to enable people to see regulate themselves. To get such reformation we create a shift from regulations on morality and to avoid normatively towards focussing on desires and interest of individuals for a happier lifestyle. Speaking of the previous structure what is important is awareness amongst people. There may be kinds of morality but kind of self regulation is one. One morality where in people talk about self regulation wherein don’t rape or murder can be possible only when natural needs are met. But sexual morality which talks about chastity and fertility is obsessive and is the root for the chaos that there is.

These method of analysing and drawing conclusion in turn gave rise to the greatest liberation movement for sexuality. It was also not a sudden outburst neither does it has a sudden end. It started from the 1960s till 1980s in the United State of America. The movement spread, unfurled, and escalated and has never stopped since. This was a social movement and came to be known as the ‘Sexual Revolution’. This movement didn’t only challenge the old, worn out, strict and orthodox canons of sexuality, But it also brought about new definitions for interpersonal relationships. The time was such that its oppression and speaking against it had become mandatory. It wasn’t a revolution per se but a gradual evolution. To give a general understanding of what all changed the outline of sexuality it included the acceptance to the use of contraception pills and methods, abortion, pornography, same sex relationships, nudity, public indecency, masturbation and various different notions that were before shadowed. Before 1960s it was all about sexual intimacy only between married man and woman, missionary and heterosexual. They opposed it literally and it became about a lot (only), in various ways (missionary), freedom (married) and with whomsoever (man and woman) you wanted to.

It is not the first sexual revolution there were attempts prior to that. If this is counted as the second one then the former one would be. Movement that took place in the 17th century. The “First Sexual Revolution' (1870-1910) questioned the Victorian sexual morality. That time the youth burned the codes of Victorian Era and got coined the term the Jazz Age. Meanwhile some also perceive that the first Sexual revolution was in Ancient Rome. Promiscuity was not considered as a taboo then. During that time under the Roman Empire they legalised prostitutes, bisexuals and sexual relationship between a man and a boy at certain level. At the end what important was for them to keep them in the side and yet maintain a heterosexual reproductive relationship. During both of these times Female sexuality was not even a point of debate, sexuality term was coined for men and all women had to do was to maintain their chastity and ensure fertility.

After Industrial Revolution, Individualism and Feminist Wave this was sooner or later expected. To understand this massive social movement, one must understand the factors that led to the happening of it. During mid to late 1950s there was a strange rise and shift in the unacceptable, unorthodox sexual behaviour. There was increase in the STI diseases and teenage pregnancies and pre-marital relationship. Sexual expression, women’s sexuality and homosexuality started to be seen under a different light.

This change was influenced by a lot of psychologists, philosophers and also scientists. The sexual revolution was driven by three important findings: 1) The intellectual theory of Freud and Wilhelm Reich. 2) Empirically done sex research by Alfred Kinsey on pornographers battles, performers and writers and the emphasis on right to sexual speech. 3) And the counterculture movement, women and gays and lesbian movement.

Wilhelm Reich and Sigmund Freud from Vienna beloved in the repercussions of repression which led to internalisation. Freud was of strong believer of the drive due to libido i.e. Sexual Energy. Freud ideas were not so acclaimed in his country but it did spread all across the Europe and North America. Because Freud explained the cost one had to pay due to repression of sexuality due to the strong forces of libidinal energies. In the US, this theory of psychoanalysis was strongly supported and they accepted that this drive cannot be cured or curbed.

Meanwhile Wilhelm Reich drew out a much more radical theory. He believed that humans inherited the animal like competitive sexual nature by their ancestors. This also showed that this is something completely natural. And the ones who tried to suppress it were on the path to fascism. The ones who led this revolution were strong Reich believers. Contributions were also made by philosophers like Herbert Marcuse who followed Karl Marx and similar philosophers. Alfred Kinsey researches supported Reich. He showed that women were actually much more interested in physical intimacy than institution of marriage. These intellectuals attempted to route out the relationship between the libido, capacities (i.e anal, oral and genital sexualities) and the social institutions which would help to give a new meaning to sexuality. And also ruled out a number of myths about women’s desires.

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There was impressive use of mass media, literature and films which helped in the alteration of mindsets. To make this possible the number of movements of women, LGBTQ and cross-culture contributed a lot. With a mix in cultures there was a strong emphasis on exploring one’s mind and body and to get rid from any shackles of confinement. More than the norm the focus shifted on individualism and awareness. Women started to worry about their career and education. As a result there were large number of unmarried, working women with sexual relationships before marriage.

Efforts were put into to finally study about sexuality and not just one but different sexualities between of a man and a woman. Man’s sexuality was seen as a circle of arousal, orgasm and ejaculation. Meanwhile women’s sexuality sustained a pattern of multiple experiences of orgasm. With the revolution the whispered talk about sexuality which was static and rigid became subjective and it started to be dependent on an individuals’s choice. This changed the way sexuality was perceived from something obscure to something to honour, a lifestyle. In an article it was stated that “After Industrial Revolution, Individualism and Feminist Wave this was sooner or later expected'. Feminist movements and writers like Betty Friedan helped to change how woman’s role in sex was seen as. Betty spoke against domestic violence and also believed that a housewife may not participate in sexual activity just because his husband wants to. It was against the strong feminine view that housewives even if not willing to participate she must try to enjoy it.

What really changed I’m true manners is how sexuality is now seen as. It has come out of darkness and nothing is wrong anymore. For any physical intimacy a bond or a relationship is not a prerequisite anymore. It did take time for people to be okay with it. But the concept of consent was highlighted. Everything dint change in a day, till today it is trying to settle. But the wave initiated then. Sex and eroticism became more open. It surfaced on people’s TV screens, literature and music. People started concentrating on rich sex life instead of just sex life. Then it seemed courageous to individuals to finally admit that a good sex life is vital for good health and sound mind. And also that Sex is not a sin anymore, not something one should oppress. This shift in ideology played a huge role.

From the 1960s one could see a notable changed in the manufacturing of birth control pills which made contraception normal and easily possible. And with industrial revolution there were not better and cheaper condoms which could be purchased by hundreds. And during 1940s to 1950s there was a situation of baby boom, the thinking of the youth and new adults hit the society like a big wave. But even in the time of such a change homosexuality was still seen as an illness and people were unable to accept it. Medical practitioners who worked as scientists could not be objective, their biases were still present coming from their culture and religion. They were view as dangerous and a malice to the society. Things changed after the Stonewall riots by the LGBT community in 1969 paved the way for their liberation and acceptance. And after that number of people kept increasing in the LGBTQ community.

Alongside the developments that were happening, the increasing literacy rates and decrease in religious compliance made a difference. The Biblical term to be fruitful and multiply was questioned. Religion were also compelled to follow the live and let live approach then. People were getting farther from the compliance to the past and were in the path to adopt an open, modern living structure. Not just the number of sexual encounters increased but also divorces rates were dramatically high. In fact unilateral divorce had also become legal and much more easier. All of this led men and women in the United States to think and reinstall new institutions to replace the orthodox monogamy.

As the revolution inclined it in a manner sublimed Reich’s belief of liberated sexuality. And it was seen that the change in sexual tendencies were more altered by the social movements. Two American sociologists John Gagnon and William Simon used a metaphor to describe sex. They compared it with a scripted activity which includes lines, roles, myths, cutes to enable sexual behaviour. Michel Foucault who is a theorist and historian from France went deep in the culture of history of the society. For him sexuality was something created by the social construct. He stated that sexual tendencies were not just mere repressed feelings but they are formed only because of the social historical institutions. Foucault just like Gagnon and Simon assured that sexuality is nothing but a symbolic interaction.

This revolution also had to face a lot of opposition. Religious leaders opposed this whole revolution and in respond to it installed new organisations and got place in politics by electing their own people. They were only concerned about to undone what they movement had done. There were wars between progressive intellectuals and religious conservatives which till date prevails. Due to sexual revolution the one who oppose it also said that it led to increase in the sexually transmitted diseases. Yet this revolution succeeded because it is a part of both the society and of each individual. It is something which affected everyone. And it could only be possible due to the writers and philosophers that it could bring about a change at a massive scale. It not only changed the codes of sexuality but gave it a new thinking.

The question is how has this revolution changed our society today. Parents of the new generations do notice the openness towards sexuality and children seek to talk about it openly. But they also fear the increase in the statistics and trend of young teens and adults in more number of sexual relationships. There is no diffidence for the high use of contraceptives, abortions or teen pregnancy. Before the revolution took place men used to decide sexuality and what they wanted of women which will restrained with the traits and responsibility of loyalty and obedience. After this revolution within or outside marriage sexual intimacy became possible. “The sexual revolution has also been blamed for the destruction of the traditional American family”. It went against the concept of a traditional family as women started to postpone and not heed any importance to getting married and giving birth to offsprings. And mainly this revolution is not a part of patriarchy and is an attempt to something gender neutral and also irrespective or religion. The importance is given to consent and any relationship can be accepted unless it is not of deceit. After this revolution these changes are still taking place and influencing society and politics. An article stated “However, there is no doubt that the sexual revolution of post-World War II America has changed sexual and gender roles permanently”.

Yet there will be chaos if we think with an open mind either due to excess freedom or regulation. There will be contradiction and its just a matter of time which one gets upheld. But we can not defy that sexual morality is a central aspect to every individual. And once this is accepted whole heartedly it will be a true form of liberation.