sexual revolution
either of two periods in U.S. (and, to some extent, European) history marked by a significant change in sexual values and behavior. The first sexual revolution occurred in the early part of the 20th century after the end of the Victorian era, and it involved efforts to increase sexual knowledge, legitimize women’s enjoyment of sex, and eliminate prostitution. The second sexual revolution, during the 1960s, was stimulated by such events as the development of oral contraception and the publication of Alfred Kinsey’s books on the sexual behavior of men and women (the “Kinsey reports”). This led to more openness of sexual expression in literature and the media, an increase in sexual activity, more tolerance of what were previously considered “deviant” activities, and greater acceptance of female sexuality.