Flappers in the 1920s

The economic boom that occurred in America and lasted throughout the 1920s brought about a new generation of female: They were daring, eccentric and more outspoken than the typically socially-acceptable woman. They were known as ‘Flappers’.

‘In the 1920s, 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.’

In William and Mary Morris' Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins, they state, “In America, a flapper has always been a giddy, attractive and slightly unconventional young thing who, in [H. L.] Mencken's words, 'was a somewhat foolish girl, full of wild surmises and inclined to revolt against the precepts and admonitions of her elders.”

‘Flappers had both an image and an attitude.’

At the time these women were viewed as being scandalous with a rebellious in nature. They would go partying, wear immodest lengths of dresses and/or skirts and, as well as making sure that their make-up was prominent. They were also allowed to vote, being more sexually liberated and participated in many sports such as bicycling, roller skating and golf. Furthermore they used to attend the illegal speakeasies so that they too could stay out late and consume alcohol. They also (even though this was frowned upon) ventured into the more 'rougher' ghettos such as Harlem to mix with the poorer black inhabitants and enjoy the new genre of jazz music.
Female participation in the previous war effort triggered this movement as they felt it was owed to them. This in turn made it difficult for many men who participated in World War One to return and still have jobs waiting for them.

‘The flapper attitude was characterized by stark truthfulness, fast living, and sexual behavior. Flappers seemed to cling to youth as if it were to leave them at any moment. They took risks and were reckless.’

Today, ladies as a group are not classed as an ‘other’ in the ideal ideology of the United States today, however there is still a slight divide in the role and opportunities of the different genders within the USA. For example although men and women now work alongside each other in almost every profession, not all jobs pay both genders equally. Moreover unlike in England where a female head of state has occurred (Margaret Thatcher, 1979 – 1990), even if only once, in America this is still yet to happen; there have only been a few women in the White House of America, for example Condoleezza Rice.


Source: http://history1900s.about.com/od/1920s/a/flappers.htm