An Analysis Of The 1920's Flapper Culture

Women Conform to Flapper Culture
In today’s society, women wear makeup and more revealing clothing, smoke, drink, divorce their husbands, and show complete independence. Obviously culture was not always like this; rather, it has developed over time due to series of events leading up to evolution. After World War I, with men gone for the war, the country and women themselves had truly seen what they were able to accomplish, and men no longer controlled every decision. No longer did women want to settle down, have a family, and remain submissive to their husbands, but they began to disregard home life responsibilities as a new, modern woman. Much of society reflects this outlook today. The 1920’s flapper culture completely changed women’s priorities
The new rebels, called flappers, “refused to take life seriously and appeared not to value hard work”. They focused on pleasing themselves and disregarded the normal traditions. They were confident, defiant, and independent. Women became more open about sex and “indulged in kissing” with the young men who attended parties with them (Swisher, Clarice). The flappers were known as love objects that inspired men to seek success, but the inspiration was often delusional. Having no way to support herself financially unless a man did so, she was careless, selfish, and obtained a desire to give excessive attention to those she loved (Gross, Dalton). Perhaps in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald in fact, meant Daisy to be an example of a flapper girl. Her behavior and attitude almost exactly reflect the descriptions of a flapper. She represents the modern woman of the time in her careless actions and selfish attitude. Daisy existed as Gatsby’s inspiration to become rich and prosperous because he knew the money would attract her. Just as a flapper, she married Tom for money and security in the first place. In the beginning of the book, Daisy is somewhat shy and dutiful to her husband, Tom. However, as the book progresses, Daisy seems more up to date with the times. She is certainly not afraid to smoke and drink in public, and she even is so daring as to flaunt her affair with Gatsby in front of her husband and
The unspoken rules of dating that are used today are essentially the exact same as they were in the 1920’s. A relationship in this era includes a first date, driving in cars without parent supervision, and, as the media so clearly emphasizes, physicality. As well as dating around rather than “courting” one man with family supervision, women of this era smoke, drink, dance, and wear more showy clothing in public. No longer is their position strictly in the home, but women have proven themselves developed in culture and equal to men in invention successes and job positions, for example Hilary Clinton running for president. Although much of the change brought upon women from the 1920’s is self-affirming and results in positive, accomplished effects, women today endorse cosmetics and keep up with the trends from magazines and online articles, but are often negatively the targets of consumerism and advertisements. According to a study of women between the ages of twenty-five to forty-five in the United States, “67% of women, excluding those with actual eating disorders, are trying to lose weight,” to obtain an attractive physique, and over 80% of women in the United States wear makeup today (YWCA). Almost all social manners considered normal today such as acquiring higher-paying jobs, wearing makeup and more revealing clothing, weight awareness, dance