They took risks. They did things that other women would never think of doing before. These fashionable young women during the 1920’s were known as flappers. The term “flappers” originated from Great Britain. These women were on diets to get the right shape of their body for their outfits they would wear when they went out places.
Introduction: Thesis: The 1920s was an era of dramatic social and political change that brought along the greatest change for women. After World War I, the image of women completely transformed and the changing attitudes of America, allowed them to enroll in colleges, enter the workforce, participate in politics and play a greater role in society and public life. Paragraph I: Before 1920s Paragraph II:
The first thing that comes to mind when I hear of the 1920s are flappers. I picture the women with bobbed hair, shorter flowy dresses exposing skin, galoshes, and cigarettes. Not only did women begin to dress and look a certain way, they began to behave differently as well. Throughout history, women were deemed to be inferior to men, and were treated as such. Society expected women to take on the role of a homemaker.
In the 1920s lots of things happened, it was the end of the first World War. New things were coming out in the world and the world was changing a lot. In this research paper you will find out about different things that happened in three different time periods. Flappers were young women in the 1920s who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, listened to jazz. In 1890s “ people known as flappers were described a very young prostitute”(Linda).
The flapper represented the “modern woman” in American youth culture in the 1920’s, and was epitomized as an icon of rebellion and modernity. Precocious, young, stubborn, beautiful, sexual, and independent, the flapper image and ideology revolutionized girlhood. The term “flapper” originated in England to describe a girl who flapped and had not yet reached maturity.
In the midst of the progressive accomplishments of the 1920s, and the chaotic search women conducted for their place in the new United States, a new type of woman came about. This new woman was entitled “flapper”. According to Vincent Tompkins, the author of The 1920s: Lifestyles and Social Trends: an Overview, The term “Flapper” was given to “young women who flaunted their freedom from convention and constraint in conduct and dress.” Women had at this time, developed a strong an independent attitude that furthered their fight for equalities in the 1920s.
Flappers, by definition, are young women , not yet in womanhood, whose intent was to enjoy herself and break the rules. Throughout the project, I learned that Flappers were roaring through the 1920’s as independent women who just wanted to have fun. Flappers had just gotten the right to vote, and were still fighting for more equal rights on their part. They were women who wanted to be treated equally with men; they wanted to get rid of the double standards between the men and women. People thought the women were trying to be like the men, when really the women just wanted keep everything equal without having a barrier between men and women.
The ideal image of women was one of the chief changes that occurred during the 1920s. The extreme lifestyle occurrence allowed the new developing concept of the new woman to diffuse across America. Throughout the 1920s women tested the gender standards set for them. The women that challenged the standard mindset of women the most were known as flappers. Flappers wore short dresses, wore short hairstyles, and also smoke, drank, and spoke their minds.
In the 1920’s the number of working women increased by 25% which resulted in women composing 23.6% of the labor force ("The Roaring Twenties."). Women had taken a complete turnaround for the better. Their whole image changed from a Gibson girl into a Flapper which are complete opposite styles. Women were also given the chance to take on more jobs which happened to be the mens jobs. Lastly women were granted more rights and education opportunities.
As a result of technological progress and new opportunities for Americans to consume popular culture, the 1920s can be remembered as a period of immense innovation. Despite the fact that more traditional ways of thinking existed such as feelings toward immigrants and religious fundamentalism, to a greater extent, the 1920s were characterized by roles of women and the fight for freedom and equality. Before the 1920s, roles of women were mainly traditional. In general, the duty of a woman included taking care of the children, and the household. In the 1920’s, women just began to rebel against the traditions of the society, starting with becoming Flappers.
One of the biggest changes to the 1920’s was the introduction of young women with short hair cut in a bobbed style, wearing shorter skirts, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and dancing in the saloons. They were also known to cuss and be promiscuous to an extent. Women like this were referred to in that era as “flappers” . Although this was the way for some women many did not become flappers even though they did take up this style of clothing. The short , frilly dresses became popular with others simply because they thought they were flattering.
The fashion of the 1920 s is a reflection of peoples extravagant lifestyles and elevated thinking. It was an exciting time to be a woman because more freedoms and opportunities were available, not to mention woman gaining the right to vote . There were new patterns of clothing, bras,and smaller corsets not to mention that most of the clothing was made by the woman themselves. Through the years woman have stayed at home and not had much involvement in the society.
Flappers were young, middle class women that rebelled with their lifestyle and fashion. This is important because it gave a more insight of the development of women’s personality and behaviors. Flappers were more independent than previous generations, majority of the flappers would work at day time and then at night flappers would regularly go to night club or jazz clubs to drink and smoke (Alchin). One of the most noticeable behaviors that made flappers different from others were the fact that they did not mind cheating and having multiple affairs. The fashion of the woman changed drastically, one of the popular fashion styles were bobbed hairstyles, cloche hats, and exotic clothes.
Flappers were women in the 1920’s that expressed themselves in ways that opposed the social norms of the time. Flappers had a reputation for acting flamboyant, independent in spirit, and looking for a good time. Along with their lively personas, they were always seen having a specific fashion. It was common to see flappers wearing loose dresses with low waists, short skirts, and tops with no arms. The combination of these pieces were intended to make the flapper look boyish and androgynous.
Despite this, women were able to make a huge impact on America through social reforms. Many young women went against the beliefs of their parents. Prior to the Roaring Twenties, America was in a Victorian era. Women wore dresses that were floor-length, their hair was long and premarital sex was almost non-existent. During the 1920’s however, some women became what are known as “flappers”.
