A Look At Cheap Amusements Essay -- essays research papers

An extremely interesting, but ever-contradictory sociological study of sexual relationsis presented in the Kathy Peiss book Cheap Amusements . The reason I say that it is ever-contradictory is that the arguments are presented for two the benefit of barefaced amusements for a woman s place in troupe and for the reinforcement of her place. In one breath, Peiss says that mixed-sex fun could be a source of autonomy and pleasure as well as a cause of a woman s continuing oppression. The following arguments will show that, ground on the events and circumstances described in Cheap Amusements , the changes in theship contributeal that leisure time is spent by women has indeed benefited them in both the workplace and at home. This position requires a closer look at specific leisure activities where and with whom they are spent, and the ultimate effect that these activities had on society and sexual practice roles. More significantly however, is how the establishment of leisure activiti es for women came about, rather than the aboveboard change in availability of much(prenominal)(prenominal) activities. First let s look at Peiss s position on the matter of how cheap amusements challenged gender traditions in the latterly 19th and early 20th centuries.     What does Peiss get to say about women s roles at the turn of the century? Peiss argues ab initio that young women experimented with new cultural forms in terms of sexual expressiveness and hearty interaction with men, linking hetero fond culture to a sense of modern individuality and individualised style. Creating this style was an assertion of self. Peissquickly discounts these assertions by saying that without economic independence, such freedoms are hollow. Peiss s essay claims to focus on the role of on the job(p) women in fostering change from a homosocial to a heterosocial culture, but as we can see from the earlier quote, there is still what seems to be a hint of male dominance in preventing the experience of true leisure. By this we can see that Peiss believes women were challenging gender norms, but doing so to a lower place the implied watchful eye of the male-dominated culture.     One very interesting point that Peiss makes is that there is now a market for leisure time. This market included such activities as attending shows at a nickelodeon, riding the trolley, and, especially in Manhattan, spending the day at Coney Islan... ...not explicitly challenging the social conditions of the day, but implicitly doing so. I agree with Peiss s statement that women were expressing the inclination for selfhood and fulfillment but that this did not attempt to transform the web of gender and class relations in which they were situated. Women did not attempt to challenge their attitude explicitly, nor didthey even realize they were challenging their social condition. At the same time, attending at particular popular dance halls and club ev ents served to reinforce the notions of female submission and some Old Word traditions. Overall, however, we can see that the changes in society over this period of 1880-1920 benefited women. Look at how family life changed because of the icon theater experience. It brought families together husbands and wives would attend with their children. Also, we can see that clubs and dances were safe places to bear upon those of the opposite sex, whereas previously, you may have had a husband chosen for you. It can be said with confidence then that the challenges implicitly mounted by women s search for leisure has indeed benefited their position in the late 19th and early 20th centurysociety.