Women in the New Era

College-educated women were no longer pioneers in the 1920s. There were now and even three generations of graduates of women's or coeducational colleges and universities , some we're making their presence felt in precessional areas that in the past women had rarely penetrated.

The decade saw a redefinition of motherhood. Shortly after WWI, john B Watson and other behaviorist began to challenge the long-held assumption that women had an instinctive capacity for motherhood. Maternal affection was not, they claimed sufficient preparation for child rearing. Mother should rely on the advice and assistance of experts and professionals: doctors,nurses,and trained educators.

Many women new openly considered their sexual relationships with their husbands not simply as a means of procreation. As an important and pleasurable experience in its own right, as the culmination of romantic love.

One result was growing interest in birth control. The pioneer of the American birth control movement, she believed that large families were among major causes of poverty and distress in poor communities.

They could smoke,drink,dance,wear seductive clothing and makeup, and attended live parties. (Flappers)