The Sexual Revolution

The discourse of sexuality has evolved with changing times, and therefore governed social relationships accordingly. This discourse of sexuality has changed dramatically from once being strictly confined to marriage and having various monitoring agents that acted to control the conduct of individuals. There have been numerous factors that lead to the change we now know as the normal discourse of sexuality. Socioeconomic changes, politics, explorations in knowledge/technology, and media/entertainment are some of the aspects that contributed to the sexual revolution. For example, women became more politically involved and increasingly active in the work force. Therefore, women were less reliant on men then in previous times. These were major stepping stones to women’s right to equality. In addition, other advancements of knowledge, such as the development of ‘the pill’ enabled women to have more control over their future by being able to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Other political aspects, such as the strong oppositions to governmental policies and foreign affairs contributed to the wide spread rebellion and aversion of authority, particularly by the generation’s youth. Traditional institutions of authority were challenged heavily during this time. Consequently, the revolution of sexuality was a product of many changes in American society in the nineteenth century. One proof of this change is shown in how media works endured a great relaxation of censorship. Even in the past 10 years, the discourse of sexuality shows evidence of continual evolution in this respect.