Sex
Changing Sexual Attitudes
The episode Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (A), provides good examples of social norms and changing sexual attitudes in the twentieth century. A major reason for these changes in attitudes about sex had to do with the advent of the birth control pill. According to Guerrero (2011), "the 1960s was a revolutionary era for all types of values, including those associated with politics, music, the environment, civil rights, and women's rights. Perhaps the biggest factor was the birth control pill - the first simple and effective technology that permitted sex without reproduction (19)."
Peggy begins work at Sterling Cooper and is shown around the office by Joan. Joan lets Peggy in on secrets to success and gets her an appointment with a gynecologist. The contraceptive pill is brand new, and Peggy goes in to get it. The doctor comments on his surprise that Peggy is not married, yet is interested in getting on the pill. Although the doctor mentions that it is good for women to be practical about the possibility of sex, throughout the appointment he makes remarks about not becoming promiscuous just because she is on the pill. Peggy assures him that she is responsible, but later on in the episode, she sleeps with Pete. Premarital sex became more permissive because of the pill, and changed women's values about sex. (Photo: see Notes, t) |
Refusing Sexual Invitations
Also in this episode, Pete's bachelor party at the club shows a good example of refusing sexual invitations. A few girls join Pete, Sal, Ken, Harry, and Paul at a booth. Pete immediately begins to flirt with the girl who sits by him, and he puts his hand on her thigh. She giggles, telling him to stop several times before telling him more firmly that he should not continue. She tells her friends that it is time to go, forcing Pete to say that he will be good. She moves away from Pete to sit with someone else.
As we have discussed, the power to refuse or accept is mainly a woman's prerogative. According to Guerrero (2011), "women often use indirect strategies because they are perceived as polite; however, more direct strategies seem to be more effective for refusing unwanted sex (20)." The girl playfully telling Pete to stop would be considered an indirect strategy, while her eventual choice of getting away from him might be considered more direct. (Photo, see Notes, u) For more information on references; see Notes. |