Revolution in Manners and Morals by Frederick Lewis Allen

In the article, “Revolution in Manners and Morals”, author Frederick Lewis Allen describes in detail the post WWI era, and women’s roles and expectations in society. After prohibition had taken effect and groups of progressives tried to change the structure of America, many people that were against these new ideas emerged. Hate groups became more critical of Americans structure, and tried to cleanse the poisons that had earlier been practiced like prostitution, drinking, and gambling. But this of course was very impossible to do. 

The “Manners and Morals” of America had seemed to be very poor. In this era of the post war era, women had also broken out of their usual place and started doing things that were not approved of. Sex had become very common and women had started to show more skin, and be more sexual as. The common expectations and stereotypes of women being good, and marrying the perfect man and having perfect kids had soon diminished. Young women had started to sneak out of the house and go out with boys and have sex. 

Other times, women would go out drinking which was illegal and unapproved of. New fast dance music like jazz had quickly popularized and this became a big attraction for young men and women. Now couples were dancing close and kissing more often. New changes in women’s apparel had started to emerge. The short skirt was introduced, but local laws required the length to not exceed 9 inches. Sometimes even shin bones and knees were shown which was very rare. The one piece bathing suit had been introduced and was heavily watched by local police enforcers. The overall attitude towards women had turned into having respect for their intelligence and sophistication, to party animals with only one thing one their mind, Sex. Actions to minimize this were taken by new bills that were introduced in New York, Utah, and Ohio. At this point in American history women had the biggest focus.