The First Wave Feminism and Free Love Movement emerged in the 1870s, as activists began advocating for voluntary motherhood and challenging traditional marital sexual obligations. This movement sought to empower women by promoting sexual autonomy and questioning societal norms surrounding marriage and reproduction. The ideas and discussions from this period laid the groundwork for future feminist movements, influencing women's rights and sexual liberation in the 20th century.

The First Wave Feminism and Free Love Movement of the 1870s significantly influenced decadent and modernist poetry. Poets like Edna St. Vincent Millay explored themes of erotic freedom and women's autonomy, challenging societal norms and celebrating individual expression.