Roaring Twenties

Essay by asinc96High School, 11th gradeB+, October 2014

download word file, 4 pages 0.0

Alex Sinconegui

APUSH - Mr. Klaff

2/25/14

The Roaring 20s: An Evolution in Morals and Manner

In the years prior to World War I, society more or less followed a strict moral code. This code incorporated stringent social conduct between men and women including the roles that each played in the community, their attire, and product consumption. Being the chief laborers, men were expected to provide for their families, bringing food and money to the table. Married women were expected to manage the home by cleaning it, preparing meals, and caring for the children. However, some women wanted to join the workforce and picked up common positions such as nurses, teachers, or stenographers. Attire was chiefly a female issue during the early 20th century time period. Prior to the War, women were obligated to wear long loose dresses that covered almost all of their skin, reaching down passed their ankles.

After the War, however, moral routines changed, especially in the fashion department. The two products that underwent the largest social transformations were alcohol and tobacco. At the on-start of the 20th century, alcohol and tobacco weren't much of a social issue, although alcohol was in contention for prohibition. During the 1920s though, alcoholic beverages and tobacco stepped into the social spotlight. It is also important to note the moral restrictions concerning physical conduct between members of both genders. It was greatly demeaned to have premarital sex. Even young adults dancing close together was something that was looked down upon and something that was not very common prior to World War I. However, the War had shocked the nation and the rest of the world into a societal revolution, in which manners and morals to evolved closer to how we know society today.

At the kick off of...