The Long History of the ‘Sexual Revolution’ in West Germany

Abstract

According to popular opinion, the ‘sexual revolution’ in West Germany occurred between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s. This era saw a liberalisation of sexual behaviours and attitudes among many different parts of society.1 In just one decade, pre-marital sex, extra-marital affairs and homosexual relations were ‘liberated’, pornography was made readily available, rigid criminal legislation regarding sexual activity was softened and ideas typical of conservative morality were radically questioned. Although still controversial, ‘sex’ became a positively regarded part of life, appearing in literature, magazines, films and educational material in schools. Opinion remains divided on the effects this shift in attitude had for people experiencing these social changes. Those who support ideas of ‘liberalisation’ emphasise that the changes must be regarded as positive in the long run simply for the definitive triumph over the sexually conservative spirit of the recent past. However, critics of ‘sexual revolution’ claim that the goals were over-ambitious from the outset, causing negative aspects to overshadow positive ones, as seen in the excesses of commercial sex and the pornographisation of post-modern man.