Social and Cultural Change - Part 2 Flashcards
What were key developments in relation to sex?
- The pill freely available on the NHS by 1969 making sex recreational as opposed to procreational
- The development of antibiotics meant that diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea could be cured in weeks
- Abortion legalised in 1967 as many in favour of reform
What were developments in divorce?
- Divorce rates rose in 1960s
- Yearly average of 37,657 petitions for divorce filed in England and Wales in first half of decade
- Second half this rose to 57,089
- Opinion polls suggested 30-40% of the population in favour of making divorce easier
What were key developments in ATTITUDES to sex?
- In 1963 65% believed that pre-marital sex between couples was wrong
- Figure had fallen to 10% by the early 1970s
- Sex in media more prevalent
- Profumo affairs gripped nation + increased sales in tabloid newspapers
How was Britain more permissive in relation to drugs in 1960s?
- The Beatles sang of LSD, dylan getting stoned and the rolling stones ‘Brown Sugar’ was a nod to heroin
- In 1968 there was a LEMAR rally in Hyde Park
- by 1967 2,500 prosecutions
- By 1965, young taking LSD
How was Britain less permissive in relation to drugs in 1960s?
- The Dangerous Drugs Act 1957 made it unlawful to possess drugs such as cannabis and cocaine
- In 1970s maximum sentence for supplying drugs was increased to 14 years imprisonment
- In 1967 88% of the public thought dealing ‘soft’ drugs should be criminal offence and 77% thought taking them should be also
- by late 1960s drug taking widely percieved as most serious social problem in britain
How was Britain permissive in relation to law and order
dealth penalty abolished 1969 - silverman introduced act in 1965- symbolised freer and more tolerant society
how were declining law and order shown
aggrivation between mods and rockers at seaside resorts eg Clacton, Margate and Brighton
- severe Fines and custodial sentences handed out by local magistrates who called in Parliament for stricter laws against ‘malicious damage’
How was Britain not permissive in relation to law and order
- majority of britain wanted tougher sentencing
- the abolition of capital punishment provoked widespread hostility, regardless or age, gender or voting preference
- between 61 + 82% public in favour of death penalty
Why did youth culture emerge?
- increased living standards, spread of education and growth of leisure time
What were young people like in relation to parents?
- clashed with parents over fashion, music and moral standards
- caused concern amongst older generations
How was britain permissive in terms of the fashion that defined youth culture?
- London capital of fashion world
- The new breed of photographers created the supermodel in the form of Jean Shrimpton and then Twiggy
- The mini skirt emerged and by 1965 the hem was nearly six inches above the knee
- In 1964 model Jean Shrimpton caused scandal in Australia when she wore dress four inches above knee
How was britain permissive in terms of the music that defined youth culture?
- The Beatles most influencial –> fused anarchy by saying ‘go to hell’
- embracing drug use in pop - Lucy in the SKy with Diamonds
How was the developments in youth culture limited?
- very much had roots in london and more particularly small parts of london
What different youth subcultures emerged by end of 1960s?
- skinheads evolved from mods
- hippies rejected social conventions
Describe the Anti-Vietnam activism?
- youth culture and political activism merged in opposition to the controversial vietnam war in late 1960s
- The VSC set up in 1966 gaining considerable support amongst students
- 17 March 1968 - violent scenes at anti-war demonstrations in London
- 28th March - violent protest known as Battle of Grosvenor Square took place - 200 arrested
