‘There was less social and cultural change in the 1970s than in the 1960’. - Essay plan
Introduction
There was more social/cultural change in the 1970s than in the 1960s
More change in some than in others, e.g. Feminism made huge progress with number of acts +
mainstream attention + immigration was a significant concern of many people, whether they
supported it or not. However, youth although the groups changed massively, attitudes didn’t -
still moral panic + generational conflict. Environmentalism emerged but didn’t gain much
support
But still far more social/cultural change in the 70s - more acts, more publicity for different social
causes + more groups emerging to support each thing
Progress of feminism
By 1970s had Equal Pay Act, access to abortion, 2nd wave of feminism which had spread from US
(needed this for change to happen in 70s), divorce reform, more feminist writing, e.g. Germaine
Greer - ‘The Female Eunuch’ → increased freedom and rights
However, up until 70s, although there had been significant changes, e.g. abortion and divorce
reform acts, there was much more change needed to bring about actual equality, which is what
started to happen in the 70s far more than the 60s, which for women’s lives and positions in
society is far more significant → many more acts dealing with many more issues + more groups
(more and more women’s liberations group, aiming to give support to women - 1st meeting of
WLG in 1970) + more publicity
Examples of acts :
1971 - Women could take out a mortgage without a male guarantor
1975 - Sex Discrimination Act - Ended discrimination based on gender or marital status
1976 - Domestic Violence Act
More publicity : Inauguration of International Women’s Day by the UN in 1977 - recognition at
top levels raising awareness
Race and immigration
Immigration had been a concern in the 1960s - e.g. Survey in North London in 1965 showed that
⅕ objected to working with black people or Asians, ½ said they would refuse to live next door to
a black person
But tensions/concern increased in 70s
28,000 Ugandan Asians & many Bangladeshi immigrants came to Britain fleeing persecution
National Front, which opposed non-white immigration, gained a popular following in the 70s -
20,000 members by 1976 and described as 4th largest political party in 1977
Shows increasing anti-immigration - well organised + legitimising their views
By late 1970s Conservatives said would toughen up on immigration & reduce nos. → shows
increasing societal concern; ITV 1978 - Margaret Thatcher said would limit immigration and
gained 11 point lead in the polls
Riots/marches/violent attacks - 100 incidents, including 2 murders, from Jan 1976 to Aug 1978;
Assaults & robberies of Asians and Afro-Caribbeans rose by ⅓; Riot at Notting Hill Carnival in
1976 - >300 injured
1980 : Commission for Racial Equality warning : ‘increasing anti-immigration and racism &
government response inadequate’
Despite this, increasing positive attitude amongst other groups → e.g. Rock Against Racism :
1976, Anti-Nazi League : 1977, Demonstration and concert 1978 in Trafalgar Square attracts
100,000 people
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