In the 1950s when there was still conservative view on sex, Elvis Presley
the king of rock and roll came into the picture. He quickly became a legend and
a sex symbol for young girls and American society. Females though he was highly
attractive and a beautiful superstar on and off the stage. Overtime the way he
performed stage became very controversial to viewers. Elvis wiggled his hips
while onstage in a sexual way that caused certain people to disapprove.[1] Local press was running headlines
that Elvis Presley would have to clean up his act if he wanted to keep
preforming. While watching Elvis on television the camera would often show only
his top half because they thought his wiggling hips was too much for the public
eye to see.[2] Critics thought Elvis was too vulgar and provocative on
televisions and it would possibly end up changing the moral values in American
society. Also, Parents started to turn against Elvis and his thrusting hips and
prevented their children from watching his performances. They thought Elvis was
having a negative effect on the youth and performances were meant for adults
only. [3] Known of these critiques never stopped Elvis Presley. He danced the
way he wanted to and enjoyed playing music.
my opinion Elvis Presley changed much more than just music and the
entertainment industry. Elvis changed the culture of America and helped the
movement to more liberal views of sexuality in the throughout the 1950s and
1960s. Like I said before during the 1950s and 1960s views on sex were still
very conservative, marriage was highly valued and youth culture was just
starting to see freedom in dating. [4] Elvis Presley was one of the first
people to publicly display sexuality on television. He helped give the youth a
new view on sexuality. Now instead of keeping your sexuality to yourself it
could be expressed and shared with others. Parents and educators began to have
less control over the youth and teenagers were now beginning to be able to
express themselves and their sexuality. He helped break the boundaries in the
music industry which lead to more artists attempting to break the boundaries
and change moral values. In conclusion Elvis Presley will not only been known
as a legend in the music industry for creating rock n roll and revolutionizing
music but also what he did to change the views of sexuality in America.
[1] Wallace , Marcie . "Elvis Presely A revolutionist ." .
http://www.lagrange.edu/resources/pdf/citations/2012/11_Wallace_History.pdf (accessed
).
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