Bra Burning

Bra burning is something many people throughout the world associate with the 1960s and the protests that occurred during that time. Although there are many history majors and scholars out there who disagree with this common memory of this time in USA history. The more you investigate the burning bra history, the more you may find that this common memory is not a memory at all but a common misconception instead.

Bra burning for feminism was something that actually never happened. When you take a look at history you will find that there were many protests where draft cards were burned and women threw their bras into trash cans and these two images were combined into one memory of burning bras for protest. The famous protest that started this bra burning myth was the protest for the 1968 Miss America contest. Women started throwing their bras, girdles, nylons and other pieces of restricting under garments into the trash cans. This is the closest any protest ever came to bra burning.

Although Women’s Lib took this rumour and promoted it in order to get more publicity and audiences regarding their causes, this was something that never really happened. As history escalated, the 1970s included protests of women going braless to enhance their freedom of sexuality as well as enticing the men of that time. It used to be that men loved the bras that were created in the 1950s and 1960s but the ’70s brought a more sexual term to the bra when women began refusing to wear them.

You can find many bra burning photos online that are not real and have been forged to only continue this rumour of history that has been going on for decades now. These photos stem from the protests that combine women throwing their bras into the trash cans and soldiers burning their draft cards. By simply taking the soldiers and men out of the picture, of course it seems like the women are burning their bras. This is a myth and rumour that has been circulating for so long that it is doubtful it will ever be fully recovered by the truth. Although it is a great story and a great way to promote the act of feminism of that time, it is far from what really happened. If you are interested in learning more about the real feminism actions and protests, there are many articles and websites online which carry the truth for you.