Women's Rights and the Turning Point of 1920 - Essay Sample

Introduction

According to Lyn Dummeli after the 1920s marked the beginning of the realization of women changes in their rights and position in society. 1920 was the turning point for women to begin feeling their importance in society. Before the year 1920 women were not allowed to vote in the states of America (Dumenil, 2007). The political inequality of women was changed by the Suffrage Movement of Women. Women before the year 1920 could not enjoy equal job opportunities as men and their fashion styles were similar to the fashion style of the Victorian Era of early 1901(Dumenil, 2007). According to Lyn Dummeli before 1920 women faced fewer opportunities and rights in the society which could be seen from their required way of dressing and their non-voting rights.

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Many changes took place after the year 1920. The invention of the pill in the year 1959 was a big step for women. Early most of the families had four children and more. This was a win for women because their burden of bearing many children was reduced. The fashion of women changed in 1920 where the Victorian image was ended by the postwar (Dumenil, 2007). Fashion for women was influenced by Hollywood. The women position in the family was considered as the main breadwinner during the era of the great depression. Thus it is during this era that the women responsibility in the family was considered important more than the child-keeper responsibility earlier before the 1920. Women were also given important roles in the Ku Klux Klan where they were allowed to form their own group. This era according to Lyn Dummeli was important because it was a time that women were allowed to enjoy many rights that they did not enjoy there before.

It is true to state that the beginning of a decade always carries the ideology of the previous decade. The scene of Deanie and her mother Mrs Frieda Loomis is an outstanding scene that talks about the topic of sexuality. Mrs Loomies advice towards the issue of sexuality to her daughter carries the ideology of the previous decade. She advises her daughter on the grounds of her past beliefs about sexuality.

Deanie returns home after a sending time with Bud. Deanie's mother observes their last moments before Deanie and Bud leave each other. Mrs Loomies overhears Bud tell Deanie that they have had enough kissing for the night. Mrs Loomie observes the body language of Deanie and she can tell that her body exhibits tremendous sexual longing (Splendor in the grass, 1961). This observation makes Mrs Loomie talk about sexuality to Deanie. In their conversation, it is observed that Mrs Loomie still belives about the ideologies of the previous decade. She explains to Deanie that boys never respect girls that go all the way. She states that Bud could get Deanie into a whole lot of trouble (Levy, 2006). Boys do not respect girls who allow them to go all the way with. Boys want nice girls that they can wife in their future (Splendor in the grass, 1961). Mrs Loomie's ideas are based on her past life. Mrs Loomie is afraid that her daughter might have already given in to Bud. She explains that women do not enjoy sex the same as a man does. She states that she gave in the Deanie's father only for the purpose of procreation. She only gave in to the father of Deanie because as a wife she was expected to do so (Levy, 2006). Mrs Loomie is worried that her daughter might not have similar opinions about sexuality. Mrs Loomie later tells her husband that Deanie is in love but she expects marriage before any physical affection just like what she believes in.

References

Dumenil, L. (2007). The New Woman and the Politics of the 1920s. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/84a2/5ded6107dbba0f53607700b6f1a57f502a23.pdf

Levy, E. (2006). EMANUELLEVY. Splendor in the Grass: Double Standard of Sexuality and Morality.

Splendor in the grass [Video file]. (1961).