Hollywood_Guy wrote:
I think it might go in cycles. It was considered normal for men to wear Speedos in the 70s and 80s, now it is assumed to be a "queer" thing. I don't think history works that linear like some people tend to think. And of course, sexy female fictional characters are becoming unacceptable too. And I don't believe it was like that before the 60s everything or everyone was overly-prudish (applying to both Europe and the USA), it was just seen as more something to keep in the private closet. But it's not like people didn't enjoy sex.
I think you may be right. I was there in the 60s, saw the permissive society and all. Seemed to be a case of "if the Establishment hates it, let's do it." So it couldn't last.
Interesting that the OP cites public nudity as an example of sexual behaviour. A lot of its proponents at the time used to insist that it was nothing of the kind. It was a strange era.