These women were called "fashionably dressed hell-raisers." They dressed up to show their personal pride as well as to be noticed by men.
Although advertising was growing significantly during Simmel's time, it was nothing compared to what it is now. Simmel would be amazed to see the role that fashion now plays in society. Millions of dollars are spent today by advertisers to get the right image to market their product. Adolescent girls and young adults, for example, wear a range of different clothing depending on their fashion statement. Some want to look as anorexic as the models, wear only designer clothes and watch every TV show about what's in. Others rebel against all the latest fashions with a "subculture" look such as "Goth." Individuality is very rare, since everyone wants to fit into some category. People still want to be identified with others and not totally stand out from the crowd.
Simmel would also be interested in seeing what is happening with his concept of "the stranger." The world is becoming more global, and individuals are traveling more readily from place to place for employment, school or other activities. It is not unusual for people to move into a new house or apartment and not know who lives next door. People getting on and off of elevators may nod to one another, because they are in the same apartment complex, but making conversation is usually discouraged....
In most cases, the days of going to a neighbor for a cup of coffee are either over or coming to an end, depending on where one lives.
Of course these transformations are having an impact on people, including higher stress, poorer health, loneliness, etc. That is why it is important for sociologists to continue conducting research and learn about the changing needs of the society and its residents. Simmel wrote about the problems with sociological research; it is not always accepted by other social science or science peers, because it often is not empirical or quantitative. However, if sociologists completely stop conducting research, how else will they gain a better understanding of changing phenomena?
The world is moving faster and faster all the time, and so are the societies that make up this world. Sociologists obtain their knowledge of human behavior through research, which results in a body of information that helps them move beyond guesswork and common sense in understanding society. Today, academics, researchers and social scientists rely on the studies that were done generations ago. It is necessary for today's social scientists to do the same, so that future professionals will have a means of comparison and a better understanding of historic foundations.
Simmel, G 1858-1918: A Collection of Essays, Columbus: Ohio State University Press. 1959
