It was quite the time to be alive in the U.S. during the 1920s. Several people went against Prohibition, gave into new styles of dressing and dancing, and rejected moral standards passed down from older generations. To many, the 1920s were also known as the “Roaring Twenties”. A large impact on the 1920s was caused by a fashionable young female with the intention of enjoying herself and breaking normal moral standards of behavior, who were classified as flappers to many. There are several different ways flappers impacted the 1920s such as the behavior of the younger generation, how the older generation view them, and the economy increasing. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word flapper? For many, maybe a young …show more content…
The elder generation would wear dress that touched the floor and would either wear no makeup or a very limited amount. They were well behaved and followed all the rules. It was very different from the behavior of the flappers, their behavior was considered outlashed, reckless and at times redefined women's roles. Flappers were careless, all they wanted to do was enjoy life. They did not care what others thought and nothing could stop them. One flapper once said, “after all this was liberation, we felt free to do anything we wanted. Nobody could tell us what to do.” (52). Flappers felt they did not have to follow the rules, they could be rebellious and desant of convention. They were slowly evolving into a young independent …show more content…
The way the flappers styled their hair, the way they dressed and the slang language they created amongst themselves. They created their own slang language that was confusing to their parents but made sense to them. Some things the young flapper would say when they thought something was really exciting is, “ 'Oh you, kid' and 'the cat's pajamas' [...] ‘Our parents couldn't figure out what we were talking about.’ [...] ‘The Best Things in Life Are Free,’ claimed one tune. ‘Yes, We Have No Bananas’ was another silly ditty repeated over and over, much to the dismay of adults who had to listen” (3). Their language sometimes reflected their feelings about dating, marriage and drinking habits. “I have to see a man about a dog” at this period of time meant going to buy whiskey; and a “handcuff” was considered an engagement or wedding ring (2). When parents heard their daughter talking in this new slang language they created, they did not understand what their daughters were saying, it drove them crazy. To the older women, these girls were destroying everything they had worked