Bad Girls: Young Women, Sex, and Rebellion before the Sixties by Amanda H. Littauer offers a compelling exploration into the lives of mid-20th-century American girls and young women who defied prevailing sexual norms. Challenging the notion that the sexual revolution began solely in the 1960s, Littauer uncovers a preexisting counterculture that emerged during the 1940s and 1950s. Through figures like World War II-era “victory girls,” barroom “B-girls,” and teenage lesbians, the book illustrates how these individuals navigated societal pressures, seeking autonomy and pleasure despite facing significant risks.   Drawing from diverse sources—including government reports, social science studies, and personal narratives—Littauer highlights the varied experiences of young women across different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. She emphasizes their agency in challenging conservative sexual mores, even as they contended with institutional and interpersonal constraints. New Condition

ISBN: 9781469623788