Flappers Essay

The flapper went from being viewed as a women of little morale and respect to a way for women to express their opinion and gain their voice socially, culturally and economically which eventually lead to the start of female empowerment.

In the early twentieth century, women were expected to dress modestly at all times and were predestined to be housewives. Once men were drafted into World War I, women needed a distraction such as working and providing for themselves and a way to show that they are just as strong alone and don’t need men to make decisions for them. Eventually a new breed of women emerged from society. Women that wore bobbed hair, short skirts, flamboyant dresses and had an enjoyment of jazz were considered to be “flapper”.

While good looks was not necessary, most women that identified as a flapper were considered very beautiful. Speakeasies became more popular as cabarets and saloons, where flappers usually performed and hung out. As the popularity of speakeasies emerged, jazz music started to boom throughout the United States. By 1925, jazz markets increased and jazz music filled the streets of every major city in the United States (Mowry) . Part of the reason for the rise of jazz was because it was good dance music and dances such as the Charleston were performed by flappers. It was their way of partying and letting go. Besides partying , the flappers had bigger goals in their fight for women’s rights. This group of witty and intelligent women believed that women deserved rights, in fact they believed that women were entitled to the same rights as men. Voting and working were two main tasks men were typical participating in . Flappers wanted all of that plus some during the 20’s. The flapper was an ostentatious way for women to break out of society’s structure and fight for their rights. The ratification of the 19th Amendment was a huge boost in the fight for women's rights. This gave women the opportunity to vote,opening the doors for the feminist movement and strongly encouraging women to aggressively pursue their goals and become active participants in politics (DiPaolo 2)