WOMEN IN THE 1920’s

Before the 1920s Women had few

rights Very strict social

rules Clothing Marriage

WW1 changed women ’s roles in society and their perception of themselves

Women’s suffrage

19th Amendment - 1920 •Political force

• Supported Prohibition even before they could vote

• Seen as “moral” voters

The Flapper

Short hair Short dresses Shapeless dresses, bound chests smoked, drank in public and earned

their own money

Their was also a sexual liberation as women talked openly about sex, had multiple sexual partners and contraception became more widely accepted

These women were nicknamed flappers because of the noise their un-tied shoes would make as they walked

Not all women in the 1920s were flappers Northern, urban, single, young, middle-class Held jobs

Telephone operators Secretaries Saleswomen at department stores

Consumerism

Author F. Scott Fitzgerald describes flappers as “Lovely, expensive and about 19”.

“In the 1920’s, a new woman was born. She smoked, drank, danced and voted. She cut her hair, wore make-up, and went to petting parties. She was giddy and took risks. She was a flapper.”

Crash course: 1920s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfOR1XCMf7A