Theme 3 b 2 - Changes in family life and the quest for personal freedoms Flashcards
What three factors gave women more control over their family life?
- Changes to the divorce law
- Access to birth control
- Freer self-expression
What was the first major act that enabled women to obtain a divorce?
1857 - Matrimonial Causes Act
Year - Matrimonial Causes Act
1857
What did the Matrimonial causes act allow?
- enabled women to obtain a divorce
- Other causes other than just adultery introduced
- previously a Private Act of parliament for needed and obtainable at a great price - 1700-1857 only 314 had been gained
What did the Lawyer AP Herbert point out?
In a satirical novel - ‘holy deadlock’
- the absurdities in divorce law.
- Couldn’t obtain based on mutual consent there had to be instances of adultery or violence.
- So couples often had to perjure in court to obtain a divorce.
If one spouse was unfaithful a divorce was granted but if both were then the court would refuse.
Year - renewed Matrimonial Causes Act
1937
What did the renewed version of the Matrimonial Causes act allow?
Allowed for divorces if either partner was unfaithful as well as for desertion after three years.
Who opposed the renewed matrimonial causes act?
Church of England and the Catholic Church.
How did the number of divorce petitions change due to the renewed Matrimonial Causes Act?
Before - 4,800 per year.
1951 - 38,000 per year
Why did the issue of remarriage become of national significance in 1936?
King Edward VIII sought to marry the American divorcee Wallace Simpson.
How was the relationship between King Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson portrayed by the country?
Subsequent abdication crisis as Wallace Simpson was portrayed in the popular press and in the discussion as a scheming, manipulative gold digger.
Year - first birth control clinic in London
1921
Who opened the first birth control clinic in London?
Dr Maris Stopes
What did people think about birth control clinics?
Health workers who directed women there were sacked though the demand for birth control advice spread throughout the 1920s.
Cities like Salford and Cardiff clergymen condemned clinics as ‘filthy’ and ‘unnatural’
What large development occurred in 1930 for birth control?
Labour govt.
- It was acceptable for clinics to advice mothers who already had one child for whom a second pregnancy would seriously damage their health.
What did Dr Marie Stopes believe about sex and birth control?
- 1918 book ‘married love’ published for couples about sex and contraception.
- Believed women should be freed from the ‘cycle of births’ and sex should be enjoyable.
- Believed in eugenics and argued wastrels should not be allowed to breed.
- Advocated contraception for the poor saying only those who could contribute to society should have children.
What did the Church of England allow in 1930?
Married member of their congregations to use birth control methods, but the catholic church remained staunchly opposed.
What did the General Medical Council allow in 1930?
Allowed doctors to give contraception advice, only to married couples, for the first time.
Working-class women not covered by the NHS did not receive advice.
What helped young single women enjoy the consumerism of the interwar year?
Growth in new clerical jobs
What characterised a ‘flapper’ look?
Short skirts and shorter haircuts and exotic fashions
Since what year have there been articles explaining ‘flapper’ girls?
1907
What activities did flapper girls enjoy?
Dancing, jazz music and social freedoms.
Including smoking and drinking that were seen as un-ladylike.
Which two women actresses were seen as role models for women in the 1920s?
Clara Bowe and Coleen Moore
What was the dynamic for many poorer families when it came to food consumption?
Men as the primary money earner would get to eat first followed by children.
Women were often expected to go hungry if there wasn’t enough money to provide for the whole family.