Similarities Between Gender And Sexuality In The 1920's

People often confuse the terms “gender” and “sexuality”. While the two concepts are somewhat similar, gender is defined as the “dimension of masculinity and femininity based on social, cultural, and psychological characteristics,” whereas sexuality is defined as “sexual activities, attitudes, and behaviors”(Licht et al. 427). These ideas began to separate from one another most distinctly within the 1920’s. The 20’s were a time of change for women as they began exploring more sexual freedom after gaining the right to vote. Several decades later, the Sexual Revolution of the 1960’s was made possible by contraceptive pills hitting the market for the first time. Many called this Revolution a sexual liberation for young women, but it would pave
While it is true that victims tend to blame themselves, women come forward more than they used to about rape. Fifty or a hundred years ago, a woman would very likely refuse to admit being raped as it would be considered shameful on her part. While women certainly still feel shame and many do not come forward about rape, modern female rape victims are far more likely to admit and search for help about it than women in the last century. This is due in part to the fact that American culture today strives for a world where rape is nonexistent; while victims may still shun themselves or be shunned by others, they are also more likely to receive avid support for their willingness to go after someone to keep them from doing it again. The media has changed; however, it can be used for either benevolent or nefarious
Today, people have more access than ever to media through social media, television, radio, and other platforms. Immergut uses the example of Nair for Men and how they sell hairlessness as a step to “better Hygiene”(Immergut 560). While it may be true that “better hygiene” is definitely a good selling point, it is doubtful that many people believe that body hair is the equivalent of bad hygiene. Some people may not like body hair but that does not mean having it equates to having bad hygiene. Kilbourne suggests that “male violence is subtly encouraged by ads…” (Kilbourne 492). The issue with such a massive generalization is that she forgets about intent. Intent matters and such large scale generalizations are demeaning to both males and females: for males, it suggests that ads of “bad boys” will encourage them to be bad people. It implies that they will become bad people because they are not intelligent enough to gather the intent of the producers which may have simply been to make a funny commercial. It is demeaning to females in the sense that it implies that all females are stupid and will go for a “bad boy” simply because the girls in the commercial did so. Essentially she forgets how strong women’s stance has become and the strength that individual women have