I've heard a few people disgustedly express the opinion that the TOS miniskirts were yet another sign that males dominated society at that time, that the miniskirts were imposed upon the women by men who wanted them to dress "sexy". That is not quite true.In the 1960's nice (submissive) women were expected to wear dresses that came to mid-knee or lower. Somehow, to the delight of the male population, the Women's Liberation movement decided that the repressive male-dominated society was attempting to make women ashamed of their sexuality by forcing them to hide their legs. As a sign of rebellion against this repressive attitude, they began promoting the "mini-skirt". At the time, it was almost unheard of for women to be sexually aggressive. It was never ever mentioned that women were even conscious that they had sexual impulses at all, apart from the bare minimum required to propagate the species.
At the time, most sexual diseases were easily treated by antibiotics, so the only obvious side effect of promiscuous sex was unplanned parenthood. With the advent of the birth control pill, many women finally felt that now it was their turn to have sex whenever they wanted, just like their male contemporaries boasted of, at least to one-another. (The male intelligence network has always leaked like a seive. Women KNEW!)
The myth at that time was that only men had a sex drive. Women, feeble-minded creatures that they were, only had sex if they felt loved and protected by their partner, rather than because they liked having sex, too. The fact that women were openly displaying their legs was a sign that they were aware of, and OWNED their sexuality. They did not need to have Mr. Right take the responsibility for bringing them sexual enlightenment, as if they were too stupid to figure out for themselves that sex is fun.
--Baloo
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"It is required of every man," the Ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world -- oh, woe is me! -- and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!"
-- Jacob Marley's Ghost (A Christmas Carol -- Charles Dickens)
http://members.tripod.com/~Bob_Baloo/index.htm
[This message has been edited by Baloo (edited November 28, 1999).]
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