Shifting Functions of the American Woman - Essay Example

The Period between 1890 and 1920) is referred to as the progressive era. This period featured political activism, social change, and cultural shifts. Working women during this period mirrored the shifting functions of the American woman through their personification of fresh socio-cultural viewpoints of sexuality and independence (Cocks, 2006). Similar to the Blacks who had been liberated from slavery, women were achieving civil freedoms and autonomy, although these liberties were fought by complicated law interpretations. This considerably changed the women's attitudes and behavior, as they engaged themselves in finding employment. It additionally had an effect on women creating social living away from the family setting. For the very first time, women sought autonomy within marriage and revived the sexuality that was subdued in the course of the Victorian reign. 

The institution and ratification of feminism, and social sexuality had for extended periods been a subject of research and analysis, full of conflicting prospects and effects. Inside the Progressive Era, nonetheless, women's sexuality was augmented in shared concern as a bone of moral contention. Scholars and analysts argued the importance of a woman's sexuality, in the process crushing the margins of Victorian fundamentals by reassembling the social welfare function. New and fresh notions of female independence were stressed around the sexual build. Most Americans continued to hang over the conventional, traditional ideals that offered support to the cult of domesticity (Cocks, 2006). In the works done by Perri Klass Not a Good Girl, the woman is portrayed as a reserved being, following all her sexuality within the societal confines of a woman's expectations. After making small talk with Eric, she realizes that they are going too fast and thereby getting ahead of themselves. She laments that they are jumping all the traditional first-night trappings. Eric's advances irritate her.