What most influenced attitudes towards sexual behavior during the 1920s?

The attitudes towards sexual behavior during the 1920s were notably influenced by the writings and philosophies of the Lost Generation, a group of American writers who were disillusioned by the aftermath of World War I. This literary movement included famous figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and T.S. Eliot, who often challenged traditional values and explored themes of modernity, individualism, and the complexities of human relationships, including sexuality.

Their works depicted a society in which the constraints of earlier moral standards were being questioned, and they helped to articulate the experiences and desires of a younger generation seeking greater freedom and self-expression. The narrative style and subject matter popularized by these writers contributed significantly to a cultural milieu that was more open to discussing and exploring sexual behaviors outside of conventional norms, setting the stage for the social changes characteristic of the Roaring Twenties.

In contrast, religious teachings, government propaganda, and Victorian moral standards did have roles in shaping the societal framework, but they were increasingly being challenged and reinterpreted during this transformative period. The influence of the Lost Generation's literature encapsulated a broader shift in cultural attitudes that characterized the decade, making it a key factor in the evolution of sexual mores at the time.