the permissive society

liberalising legislation: The Homicide Act

* introduced by the Conservatives in 1957
* reduced the number of crimes punishable by death
* the end of capital punishment came into effect in 1965 (Roy Jenkins not Home Secretary at this point)

liberalising legislation: Divorce Reform Act

* 1969
* Before the act women could only divorce men if they were proven to be adulterous, deserting or insane
* Now both men and women could divorce
* Within 2 years of the law being in place, the number of divorces doubled

liberalising legislation: Abortion Act

* 1967
* Liberal MP David Steel proposed the bill
* Before it was passed, women could only abort if they were in danger
* The Thalidomide crisis (drug given to reduce pregnancy symptoms which had disastrous effects on unborn child) and the rise in backstreet abortions (around 100,000 a year) made abortion reform necessary

liberalising legislation: Sexual Offences Act

* 1967
* Wolfenden Report (1957) recommended the decriminalisation of homosexuality
* Law made it legal for homosexual men over the age of 21 to practice in private

evidence for permissive society: Moral attitudes

* STIs were on the rise among young people and drug culture was developing
* Cocaine and heroin use was 10 times more prevalent - partially promoted by hippy movement and groups such as the Beatles using LSD
* The Wooten Report suggested legalising soft drugs such as cannabis

evidence for permissive society: The Media

* Teen magazines spread permissive ideas

evidence for permissive society: Youth Culture

* Increased living standards and leisure time led to the questioning of authority
* Youth clashed with adults over morals, clothes and music
* London became the world’s fashion capital with women wearing trousers and mini skirts and men wearing donned velvents and brightly coloured satins
* Pirate radio stations appealed to young people because they played popular music
* 1963 Ready Steady Go and 1964 Top of the Pops were popular shows

evidence for permissive society: Anti-War Movement

* By mid-1960s threat from worldwide communism had diminished, making justification of the Vietnam War more difficult
* Anti-Vietnam War riots took place, both violent and peaceful
* Wilson didn’t want to support the war, but considering American loans kept the Welfare State afloat, he had to be involved

evidence against permissive society: Moral Attitudes

* The Dangerous Drugs Act made it unlawful to posses cocaine and cannabis
* Maximum sentence for supplying drugs was increased to 14 years
* Survey by Michael Schofield on sexual behaviour of young people showed that most people were waiting for marriage to have sex

evidence against permissive society: The Media

* Mary Whitehouse significant figure in promoting the continuity of traditional British values
* She experienced high levels of support which led to the creation of the Viewers and Listeners Association
* Soon had 100,000 members advocating for higher moral standards on TV and radio

when was Roy Jenkins Home Secretary?

1965-1967