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Reflection

The FDAs approval of oral contraceptives remains relevant today because women still
use the Pill as a way for preventing pregnancy. However, the greater relevance can be found in
its effects on sex in todays society. The sexual revolution in the 1970s which was sparked by the
Pills approval continues to determine the attitude that culture has about sex. The sexual
revolution wished to liberate women from traditional sexual norms by making sex an acceptable,
entitled aspect of an equal, educated society. This revolution was successful as American culture,
at large, feels that sex is an expected part of any romantic relationship, whether one is married or
not. In fact, many feminists perpetuate the idea that true happiness is not achieved unless one is
allowed to have as much sex as they want, free from societal ridicule or shame.

Relevancy can also be found in popular culture, which is filled with book, movie, and
television characters that engage in casual sex. Many shows make sex one of the more significant
plot points as it brings tension and conflict that is pivotal to successful entertainment. They
display a character whose life is consumed with finding the perfect partner and having the best
sex. While tension and conflict is an accurate representation of some consequences of sex, the
idea that it should be the main motivating factor in ones life is false. Furthermore, the concept of
casual sex is a direct product of the Pill, as it allows women to control their reproductive status
while having intercourse with as many partners, as often as they desire. The Pill has assisted in
the perpetuation that sex is ultimately a casual act that merely leads to interesting plot points.

This event has had a profound effect on my perspective on culture and society. I grew up
in a Christian home with parents who were never shy about the topic of sex, but instilled in me
the importance of waiting until marriage to have sex. They also dispelled the myth that the
pursuit of sex as displayed on the screen is not an accurate representation of life. I have
maintained this value, but have experienced through both popular culture, as discussed above,
and real world experience the opposite choice. I discovered that some people believed the myth
that television and movies were perpetuating. When I went away to college all three of my
roommates had sex, all were either 18 or 19 and relied on the pill to prevent pregnancy. They
frequently discussed their sexual exploits and two of them had lost their virginity in high school.
These actions would, likely, have not occurred if the pill had not been available to them. These
decisions showed me that sex was simply something everyone does because they can and society
expects you to. While this did not alter my decision to remain abstinent it has broadened my
perspective of American cultural expectations.

Last semester I took Political Ideologies, which delved into the thoughts that make the
foundation of various political factions, including liberalism, conservatism, and feminism. For
my ePortfolio project I was required to create a persuasive website that discussed the relevancy
of feminism in the modern world. This has strong ties to the Pills FDA approval in 1960, as
reproductive rights remain one of the most important topics among feminists today. This project
allowed me to discover the intricacies of the feminist movement and what their goals,
aspirations, and history consisted of. I found that the majority of their literature revolved around
the importance of sexual liberation and why it was so important for an individuals well being. In
fact, well being and happiness was the ultimate theme that united modern feminists, as they felt
entitled to equal rights, sexual freedom, and equal pay in an effort to achieve contentment and
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satisfaction. The Pill acts as an important tool in a womans ability to achieve satisfaction and
happiness in life by allowing sex without fear of pregnancy. This project demonstrated the
profound change that sexual liberation has had on society as we are expected to pursue personal
happiness above all other value or morals in relationship to sex.