Whilst the 1960s was a time of change in many areas of American society, including class and race, this essay will focus on feminine identity, demonstrating how the changing definition of femininity that emerged can be seen through popular culture and fashion.
We must also note the struggles that many women faced in reference to their identity during this period, alongside developments in their rights.
Through examining the works of several historians, we can gain insight into the progress feminine identity made throughout the decade of the 1960s.
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Paragraph 1 - Popular Culture
1960s America saw the 'second wave' of feminism emerge.
Through examining contemporary media, we can see its developments as representations of women in music and on screen changed throughout the decade.
Barr Ebest (2013) - argues the changing roles of women were generally accepted by the media throughout the 1960s (example of Charlie's Angel's - women portrayed as tough, but attractive, crimefighters).
New portrayals were a sharp contrast to post-war expectations.
But, aren't 100% positively represented (Example of Breakfast at Tiffany's - cited as one of the best feminist films of the decade, yet Holly was a 'loose woman'
But does still show some positive change in media in the 1960s.
Gorton in Waters (2011) - argues the media was used as a way to 'sell' second wave feminism to the masses and appeal to a wider audience.
Example provided by Cyrus - girl groups, such as the Ronnettes, and their songs allowed a sense of community indentity to develop.
Music created by females addressed the themes that consumers faced to allow a sense of cameraderie.
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Paragraph 2 - Fashion
Fashion was another medium that women used to demonstrate their breakaway from post-war expectations.
Hillman (2015)- argues debates over dress, hair, self-presentation to be deeply implicated in the large cultural struggles of the 1960s (examples of unisex fashions, blurring gender distinctions in clothes and dress)
Women were choosing to dress themselves in more previously masculine styles to demonstrate the equality they were fighting for.
Links between fashion and the media, as rise of visual culture through media and television played a large role in increasing knowledge of and attention towards trends (sometimes making changes in styles appear more widespread than they actually were).
Television also helped to increase the emphasis on personal appearance as part of one's politicisation (demonstrated through the chant "the whole world is watching" by protesters at the Chicago Democratic National Convention 1968) - signalled awareness that televison an media were instrumental in visually broadcasting their message to the outside world.
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Paragraph 3 - Identity struggles
Feminine identity was not without its struggles.
In wake of legalisation of birth control many women faced struggles with their feminine identity.
Kapor-Stanulović and Lynn - Scientific studies have investigated the links between feminine identity and problems in the use of contraceptives, finding problmes with birth control tended to increase in women who identified as highly feminine.
However, in novels and literature, topics such as birth control, previosuly regarded as taboo, were now being discussed openly (e.g. McCarthy's book) - Barr Ebest
In particular, Irish American women faced difficulties in remaining true to their faith in the more liberal America.
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