Contraception, Abortion and the Sex Revolution

What was the first year the pill was prescribed in Britain?

1961

Who could access the pill when it was first prescribed?

Only married women

How many women were taking the pill in 1964?

Just under half a million

What percentage of married couples under 40 used the pill?

Less than 1 in 5

What was the primary birth control device used in Britain before the pill?

Condom

What percentage of single women had taken the pill by 1970?

Fewer than 10%

What did the Schofield study in 1965 reveal about teens' sexual activity?

Most teens were virgins at nineteen and their first sex was with steady partners.

According to Goring's research, what fraction of men and women were virgins on their wedding days?

1/4 men and 2/3 women

What was the public perception of the 'sexual revolution' of the 1960s in Britain?

It was mass reality (this is a myth)

What was the legal status of abortion in Britain until 1967?

It was illegal.

What were the only options for abortion before 1967?

Private clinic or backstreet abortionist

How many illegal abortions were performed each year before 1967?

100,000 - 200,000

How many women died due to backstreet abortions from 1958 to 1960?

82 women

What event swayed public opinion on abortion in the early 1960s?

Thalidomide disaster of 1959 to 1962

What is the Thalidomide disaster

During 1960s, the drug prescribed for pregnant women with morning sickness was found to produce deformities in children when taken in early pregnancy. Children were commonly born without the long bones of arms and/or legs.

What organization was set up in 1966 to oppose the liberalization of abortion laws?

Society for Protection of the Unborn Child

Who led the campaign for abortion law reform in Parliament?

Liberal MP David Steel

What was the justification needed for an abortion after the law was liberalized in 1967?

Mental suffering of the pregnant woman

How did the number of abortions change from 1968 to 1975?

Increased from 4 per 100 live births in 1968 to 17.6 in 1975.