Focus on the sexual revolution of the 60's and 70's

What does sexual emancipation mean to you? Perhaps Woodstock and the Summer of Love of 1969. Or maybe the launch of the first rabbit vibrator in 1984. Whatever the case, the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s profoundly reshaped mentalities.

It allowed for a major leap from a traditional to a modern society. In this article, we'll take you on a ride in a powerful blue DeLorean to explore the key milestones of sexual liberation.

The beginnings of sexual liberation

At the dawn of the 1960s, a breath of fresh air swept across the West. The baby boomers asserted themselves in opposition to the traditional values of their parents, the rock'n'roll of the Beatles vibrated on transistors, and medicine broke with the dogma of the Church.

Suddenly, sexuality is no longer just a means of procreation to address high infant mortality. The idea of pleasure is increasingly taking place in intimacy.

In 1953, the book Sexual Behavior in the Human Male by scientist and sexologist Alfred Kinsey sent shockwaves through the world. Based on nearly 6,000 testimonies, the book contained revelations on controversial topics such as female masturbation, premarital sex, and orgasmic experiences. Kinsey documented a huge gap between social attitudes and actual practices, revealing that sexual behaviors were far more varied than previously thought.

Another important date in the United States is 1960, when the contraceptive pill was legalized . This advancement marked a turning point in the perception of sexuality, allowing women to assert themselves more and make more informed decisions about their sex lives.

In France, this is the year of Family Planning . It would take until 1967 for the pill to legally become available on the market. 

Social movements and the sexual revolution

The civil rights movement was launched to fight segregation and racial discrimination. Activists organized demonstrations and boycotts to pressure the government and corporations to end oppressive practices.

This movement also contributed to sexual liberation by highlighting societal pressures and fighting for equality for all.

In France, May 1968 liberated the body and challenged gender norms. Initially a revolt against the education system, the movement quickly questioned social norms, particularly those concerning sexuality and power dynamics. The demonstrations called for greater sexual freedom and an end to male domination.

Following May 68, the Women's Liberation Movement ( MLF ), created in 1970, and the Homosexual Front for Revolutionary Action, created in 1971, were the main movements that integrated sexual struggles into the fight for emancipation.

Pop culture and pornography, mirrors of sexual emancipation

Culture has been able to reflect the evolution of morals. A nude Marilyn Monroe in the center fold of the first issue of Playboy had given us a clue.

But it was the film Deepthroat with Linda Lovelace that paved the way for greater sexual freedom and diversity in the representation of sexuality in the media.

Released in 1972, it was the first pornographic film to achieve resounding commercial success. It tells the story of a woman who is unable to reach orgasm and who ultimately discovers that her clitoris is located in her throat. It was one of the first to be shown in mainstream cinemas and contributed to the liberalization of sexual norms in American society.

With its polished staging and offbeat humor, Deep Throat launched the "porno chic" trend and democratized eroticism on the big screen.

On the French side, we have Emmanuelle, released in 1974. It recounts a young woman's sexual exploration during a stay in Thailand. Although criticized for its portrayal of sexuality centered around male pleasure, it nevertheless offers a vision of female sexuality as a source of pleasure and emancipation for women. Its success was so great that it remained in theaters on the Champs-Élysées for over 10 years. 

The limits of the sexual revolution

While this revolution brought about significant changes in how we perceive sexuality, it also encountered limitations. It seems essential to us to put the events of the 1960s and 70s into perspective.

Although this period contributed to an apparent liberation of women, it also reinforced gender stereotypes . Films like Deep Throat primarily depicted a sexuality centered around male pleasure, where the woman's role was to give pleasure.

Major figures of the sexual liberation movement, such as Bettie Page and Linda Lovelace, were exploited for their eroticism. We recommend the excellent graphic novel * Coney Island Baby* , which recounts their stories.

Pornography and pop culture of the time largely reflected sexist heterosexual norms. This double-edged wind of freedom sowed new seeds of injunctions where women were expected to be as prudish as they were sexual. The cult of performance, which we fervently combat in our articles, was born during this period.

Finally, one of the most obvious limitations of the sexual revolution has been the marginalization of sexual minorities. Although the sexual revolution championed sexual freedom, LGBTQ+ people have continued to face stigma and discrimination.

In short, we still have a lot of work to do before we can experience a fully liberated sexuality. 

Without the advances of the sexual revolution of the 60s and 70s, Puissante wouldn't exist. We might be a brand of electric mixers or massage tools. Those pivotal 20 years allowed for greater sexual freedom for women and members of the queer community. Yet, the fight for an emancipated and empowering sex life is far from over. Still want to binge-watch the History of Sexuality? Check out this article on the epic story of female masturbation .