High grade Alevel history (The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007) essay on ‘The extent of the permissive society was still limited by 1970’. Explain why you agree or disagree with this view’.
‘The extent of the permissive society was still limited by 1970’. Explain why you agree or
disagree with this view’
A ‘permissive society’ refers to a society in which social norms have become more liberal. There
is evidence suggesting that there was a shift in cultural attitudes such as changing sexual
behaviour and liberalising of the ‘arts’. However, this can be viewed as an exaggeration and
although there was some change, predominantly Britain remained a conservative society with
only the wealthy and young being influenced by any change.
The cultural aspects, which support the idea of a permissive society, are evident in the fact that
taboo subjects were more openly discussed by 1970 and the media helped spread permissive
ideals. TV, radio, ‘teen’ magazines and uncensored novels were prevalent and added to this
sense of a more liberal society. Evidence for this can be seen with the Obscene Publications Act
(1958) by Roy Jenkins becoming law in 1959 which gave publishers more freedom in putting out
material which may be viewed as scandalous. Furthermore, there were the first colour Sunday
newspapers supplement for example The Times (1962) that highlights the new enthusiasm for
fashion, music and literature. A significant symbol was the Beatles being awarded an MBE,
which showed that their cultural impact and importance to society was being given recognition
by the political establishment. However, although this is evident, it can be argued that the
extent of the permissive society was in fact limited as notably the changes in society received
some backlash for example Mary Whitehouse who presented opposition to perceived liberation
of the Arts. Whitehouse acted with the ‘clean up TV’ campaign (1964) and the National Viewers
and Listeners Association (1965) which gained a large following (100,000 members) which
shows that some people in society were against these changes and developments.
Furthermore, housing conditions and poverty was still an issue with ¼ of people in London in
poverty (1968), which undermines the idea that this was a permissive society. This can be
supported by historian Sandbrook’s view that only the young and the wealthy were affected by
this more liberal society, with the majority remaining ‘completely untouched by the swinging
‘social revolution’’. However, this point can be criticised by the fact that attention was being
given to the re-thinking of house-building plans and schemes such as Newcastle’s Byker
development were built, highlighting developments and efforts to change being made in
society. Although, it can be more strongly argued that the permissive society was still limited as
mainly the young and the wealthy were effected by changes and poverty was still present and
opposition towards this more liberal society was prevalent such as Whitehouse.
It can also be argued that… (preview ends)
… there was a sexual revolution, notably with the contraceptive pill being made available for
everyone (1967). A change in attitude towards sex is evident in Catholic MP Norman St John-
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