American Freedom In The 1960s

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As has been discussed throughout the duration of this course, a recurring theme throughout American history is the notion that the definition of freedom differs based on experience. Outdated legislation and views of what is morally and politically correct have caused the original definition of American freedom to change as a sign of the times. The understanding of freedom that most shaped what it meant to be an American during the 20th century was the one exemplified by the Civil Rights Movement, the New Left, and various other social and political reform movements of the 1960s. Initially, if you were a traditional white American man, you were free to enjoy all freedoms offered in the American Constitution (Ellis 16). People belonging to other …show more content…
The female notion of freedom involved the freedom of choice in these aspects. Traditionally, women were expected to gain a minimum high school-level education, and either marry straight away or obtain a traditionally female-dominated job if they so cared to, before marrying and dropping said job entirely to have children. Middle and upper-class women were often encouraged to prioritize family and social obligations over career ambitions, reflecting class-based norms and values. The landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade (1973) legalized abortion nationwide, further affirming women’s reproductive rights and autonomy over their bodies (Ellis 16). Another movement that gained popularity amidst the fight for equal rights in America was the Gay Rights Movement. Gay people in America have faced overwhelming societal oppression for centuries. The issue was largely ignored altogether until the social discourse brought on amid the social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. Incidents like the Stonewall Riots (1969), sparked by a police raid on a gay bar in New York catalyzed the Gay Rights Movement, as well as the modern LGBTQ+ Rights Movement (Ellis
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