Marriage Sexual Revolution

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Marriage and the Sexual Revolution Historically women have faced a lot of pressure to get married and have children at a young age due to economic necessity and societal expectations. However, due to the sexual revolution and feminist ideologies of the 1960s and 70s gender roles were being challenged. The median age at marriage began to rise (“The History of Marriage”). Writers began to question societal expectations of women and films discussed ideas of gender roles and sexuality within marriage. Women began to consider individual personhood and freedoms apart from being a mother, wife, and homemaker. In the 1950s “girls were taught the being a suburban housewife was the happiest mode of existence for them” (Anthony). According to a 1957 poll only 9% of Americans thought that one could be single and happy (“The History of Marriage”). In …show more content…
In this film a successful young stockbroker named William gives up his career to focus on Voyeurism full time. His wife, Lisa, finds out and moves in with her sister. The film humorously depicts a marital breakdown. Lisa’s sister encourages her to get a divorce and is an example of an unsuccessful and unfulfilled marriage. The couple ends up reconnecting when, at the end of the film, William forces his way into the club and grabs his naked wife from the shower and proceeds to have sex with her in a closet before they drive off into the sunset. As in other films of the time period the couple doesn’t communication well. Their relationship reconciles with sex and not a heartfelt talk. Sex was at the forefront of everyone mind in the 1960s. However, this sexuality didn’t always produce deep relationships. The sexual revolution liberated women sexually, to some extent, but the institution of marriage was still rooted in traditional gender roles. However, the fact that the issue of gender was being discussed was a huge step