Society and Culture

Question 1

What were the post war social changes, in Britain, 1945-1950s?

Answer 1

THE WELFARE STATE
Introduction of the National Health Service (1948)
Access to free healthcare and social security laid foundation for greater social mobility

EDUCATION REFORMS
1944 Education Act - free secondary education for all. Established tripartite system (grammar, secondary modern and technical)- aiming to provide equal opportunities

IMPROVED LIVING STANDARDS
Housing programmes built lots of new housing/cleared slums- improved living conditions

Question 2

What were the social changes in the 1960s?

Answer 2

CULTURAL CHANGES
1960s seen as a decade of liberalisation and rebellion against traditional values (no longer a deferential society)

Rise of youth culture

LEGAL AND SOCIAL REFORMS
Abolition of Capital punishment (1965)
Decriminalisation of Homosexuality (1967)
Legalisation of Abortion 1967
The Divorce Reforms Act (1969) - easier to divorce - changing attitudes on relationships and marriage

IMMIGRATION and MULTICULTURALISM
Influx of immigrants from the Carribean (e.g. Windrush) South Asia and Africa began to diversify British society

Question 3

What were the social changes in the 1970s?

Answer 3

GENDER EQUALITY
The Equal Pay Act (1970) and
Sex Discrimination Act (1975) significant milestones in improving women’s rights in workplace

Women increasingly entered into the workforce and into higher education, challenging traditional gender roles

RACIAL TENSIONS
Rising immigrated to racial tensions and emergence of far right groups like the National Front
Anti-racist activism grew - Race Relations Act (1976) to combat discrimination

ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
Economic downturn in 70s. Winter of Discontent 1978-9 led to industrial unrest and dissatisfaction with political solutions

Question 4

What were the social changes in Thatcher’s era 1979-1990?

Answer 4

INDIVIDUALISM and CONSUMERISM
Policies promoted individualism- home ownership (Right to Buy scheme) and reduced intervention in social welfare

Increased materialism and consumerism increased inequality and regional disparities

SOCIAL CONSERVATISM
Thatcher emphasised traditional family values and opposed further liberalisation on issues like homosexuality

However, social attitudes towards gender roles, sexuality and race continued to liberalise

DECLINE of TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES
Industrial decline and privatisation led to the collapse of many working class communities, leading to social unrest

Question 5

What social change in new labour era 1997-2007?

Answer 5

FOCUS ON EQUALITY and SOCIAL INCLUSION
Blair government emphasised education, health and reducing poverty. Initiatives like NEW DEAL and SURE START programmes for children

MULTICULTURALISM and DIVERSITY
1990s and 2000s increasing acceptance of multiculturalism - new waves of immigration
However, concerns about immigration and integration persist -2001 Race Riots and 2005 London Bombings

LGBTQ+ RIGHTS
Significant progress
Equalisation of the Age of Consent (2001)
Introduction of Civil Partnerships (2004) legally recognising same sex partnerships

TECHNOLOGICAL and CULTURAL SHIFTS
Rise of the internet
Rise of mobile phones
Global media
Combined changed communication, leisure and work -especially for younger generations

Question 6

What broad themes in social change between 1945 and 2007?

Answer 6

GENDER ROLES
Women’s participation in workforce
Increased dramatically- although inequality still exists

Introduction of family friendly policies and changes in attitudes shifted traditional perception of women’s roles
REDUCING INFLUENCE of the CHURCH
Reduction in people attending church
Decisions not as influenced by religion

IMMIGRATION and DIVERSITY
Immigration transformed into multicultural society - although still debates over identity, integration and race relations

Question 7

What conclusions on social change from 1945 to 2007?

Answer 7

A lot of social change
Post-war focus on reconstruction and collective welfare
By end of period moved to a more individualistic and diverse society - shaped by globalisation, liberalisation and technological advances
Progress in areas such as gender equality, multiculturalism and living standards - but challenges such as inequality and racial tensions remained