Final answer:
The term 'loose morals' during the Roaring Twenties refers to the more permissive societal values of the time, embodied by the flapper culture. This was a period marked by cultural shifts towards indulgence and rebellion against traditional norms, although a gender-based double standard persisted.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Roaring Twenties, saying that people had 'loose morals' refers to a shift in societal values which became more permissive than the strict norms of previous generations. This period of time saw a cultural transformation, where individuals, particularly the youth, engaged in behaviors that were considered unconventional and scandalous by their parents' standards. The flapper culture epitomized by young women dressing in shorter skirts, smoking, and indulging in alcohol encapsulated this new morality. These changes were influenced by various factors such as disillusionment post-World War I, economic prosperity leading to increased consumerism, and the backlash against prohibition. Despite these shifts, a double standard remained, as men enjoyed greater freedom than women, who were still expected to conform to more stringent social standards.