Sexual revolution

Definition

The sexual revolution refers to a change in norms related to sexual activity and relationships in the Western world from the 1960s to the 1980s. It comprised technological changes (availability of cheap birth control), legal changes (legalization of abortion and further relaxation of laws against contraception or non-marital sex, and in some cases homosexual activity), and social changes (greater social acceptance of non-marital cohabitation). Similar changes may still be underway in other countries outside the West.