There are several periods in history that tell one about the manner in which women were treated. Women were not seen as equals for a long time, and during the 1960s, there was increased suffocation of women that became more and more known to the public.

Even in the United States, this is something that comes right out of the culture, and it is feminist figures such Janis Lyn Joplin that magnify the turbulent 1960s that she fought against.
Janis was indeed a figure who struggled and fought against oppression.

Janis believed in doing what was right for her; she sent a message out to society during her time that forewarned all about the will of a woman as an individual. This is perhaps why she chose to lead a life that was self-destructive and one for which only she would be answerable. Hence, this is the reason for a woman as an individual having the right to live as they please.

Alice Echols’ book ‘Scars of Sweet paradise’ is a biography of Janis Joplin that exposes these feminist notions and explores the manner in which Janis broke into the Boys’ circle of music and rock clubs during her time.

Indeed, the 1960s was a time during which girls were supposed to be girls and act within the societal expectations. Postwar America was still conservative, but Janis like many other young girls found this far too suffocating for their individual likes. This generation felt it was time to break free from the societal constraints, as “There was simply nowhere to go” (Echols, 2000, 4).

The severity of the situation for young girls like Janis was the “cultural drought”; "the middle class Port Athurans... “’didn't really have much of an idea what to do except to buy a new car every other year’” (Echols, 2000, 4).

So Janis with her powerful vocals saw to it that she was restricted no more.

Along with Janis was a generation of individuals who had the same dreams that Janis had, and music was just one form of expression for this. With the media on her side she was able to do a great deal for this generation.

The1960s was indeed a time for great change in norms, and Janis played a major part in this. She spoke out against many constraints through her music and her life style. It is pretty obvious through Alice Echols’ biography of Janis Joplin that seism during her time could not constrain her.

She was both promiscuous and bisexual, a reckless young girl in a macho boys’ world who didn’t care what people thought of her, as long as she went ahead and did what she want. This was perhaps the only way to break free from a suffocating culture.

Finally, it must be asserted that Alice Echols’ biography of Janis Lyn Joplin is one that not only encompasses the life style and stardom a rock legend but it also portrays Janis as an important feminist figure in a sexist culture where women were not really viewed as individuals equal to men.

Reference:

Echols, Alice .Scars of Sweet Paradise: The Life and Times of Janis Joplin, Owl Books 2000
Friedman, Mary. Buried Alive: The Biography of Janis Joplin, Three Rivers Press, 1992.