The Permissive Society and Social Change in the 1960s

The 1960s in Britain are often described as the era of the “permissive society”, a time when traditional social attitudes were challenged, and legal, cultural and moral reforms reshaped daily life. New legislation made divorce, abortion and homosexuality more accessible; mass media flourished; censorship relaxed; and youth culture, gender equality and new lifestyles reflected changing social norms.

This period represents a crucial intersection of law, culture and social change, which are central topics for GCSE and A-Level history exams.

Our Comprehensive Revision Guide includes model essay plans, evidence tables and exam-style practice for this period.

FAQs: The Permissive Society

Q1. What is meant by the “permissive society”?
A period in 1960s Britain when traditional moral and social restrictions were relaxed through law, culture and public attitudes.

Q2. Which legal reforms defined the era?
Abortion Act 1967, Divorce Reform Act 1969 and Sexual Offences Act 1967.

Q3. How did youth culture contribute?
Young people embraced new music, fashion and behaviours that challenged traditional norms and authority.

Q4. What role did mass media play?
Television, radio and literature spread ideas about personal freedom, sexuality and social reform.

Q5. How did women benefit?
Greater educational and professional opportunities, legal reforms and the rise of the Women’s Liberation Movement promoted equality.

Q6. Was society uniformly permissive?
No. Many conservative groups, religious institutions and older generations resisted change.

Q7. How does this period fit into exams?
Students are often asked to evaluate the extent and impact of social and cultural change in the 1960s.

Q8. What is an exam tip for this topic?
Use case studies (specific laws, famous cultural events, key figures) to support balanced evaluation answers.

Culture in 1960s Britain

Youth Culture and Identity

• Teenagers and young adults embraced new fashions, music and lifestyles.
• Groups like Mods and Rockers exemplified rebellion and generational tension.
• Rock ’n’ roll and later the British Invasion (The Beatles, Rolling Stones) transformed popular culture, while cinemas, dance halls and clubs created spaces for youth expression.

Female Equality and Social Attitudes

• Women increasingly challenged traditional roles, entering higher education and the workforce in greater numbers.
• Public debates about equality reflected changing expectations of marriage, work and personal freedom.

Mass Media and Censorship

• Television and radio expanded access to news and entertainment, creating shared cultural experiences.
• Relaxation of censorship in literature, theatre and film reflected a society more open to controversial ideas.
• Publications like Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1960) and films exploring taboo subjects symbolised these cultural shifts.

Key Legal Reforms (Overview)

• Abortion: The Abortion Act 1967 allowed termination under certain conditions.
• Divorce: The Divorce Reform Act 1969 made it easier to obtain a divorce based on irretrievable breakdown.
• Homosexuality: The Sexual Offences Act 1967 decriminalised private homosexual acts between men over 21 in England and Wales.

Key Evidence and Legislative Case Studies

1. Abortion Act 1967

• Legalised abortion under strict medical conditions (risk to the mother’s physical or mental health).
• Reflected changing attitudes towards women’s autonomy and reproductive rights.
• By 1970, thousands of abortions were performed legally, reducing unsafe procedures.
• Exam focus: Students may be asked how this reflected changing social attitudes or government response to public pressure.

2. Divorce Reform Act 1969

• Allowed divorce based on “irretrievable breakdown,” rather than only adultery or abuse.
• Divorce rates increased from 2.1 per 1,000 in 1961 to 10.2 per 1,000 by 1974.
• Reflected societal acceptance of personal freedom and the weakening of traditional marriage norms.

3. Sexual Offences Act 1967

• Decriminalised private homosexual acts for men over 21.
• Important for the LGBTQ+ movement and reflected growing tolerance.
• It was limited to England and Wales, and many campaigns continued to push for broader equality.

Social Change and Cultural Shifts

Women and Female Equality

• Expansion of secondary and higher education gave women greater professional opportunities.
• Campaigns and legal reforms encouraged participation in politics, business and academia.
• The Women’s Liberation Movement gained momentum towards the late 1960s, building on legislative changes and shifting social expectations.

Youth Culture and the “Swinging Sixties”

• Cities like London became cultural hubs, with fashion, music and nightlife flourishing.
• Young people challenged moral authority through style, behaviour and protests.
• Music, theatre and literature explored taboo subjects, contributing to a climate of openness.

Mass Media and Relaxed Censorship

• Films and TV addressed topics previously considered obscene, controversial or politically sensitive.
• Plays like Oh! What a Lovely War and literature like A Clockwork Orange pushed boundaries.
• Newspapers and magazines began covering previously hidden issues, including sexuality, divorce and drug use.

Social Change and Tensions

• While reforms were celebrated, they also provoked backlash from conservative groups, religious institutions and sections of the public.
• Moral debates persisted over the perceived decline of traditional values, family structures and authority.
• Immigration, race relations and generational gaps were key components in debates, sometimes creating social friction.

Exam Links: Planning a Response

When tackling exam questions on the permissive society, structure your answer using:

1. Context: Explain 1960s Britain as a period of social transformation.
2. Key Reforms: Discuss Abortion Act, Divorce Reform Act, Sexual Offences Act.
3. Cultural Changes: Explore youth culture, mass media, female equality and changing moral attitudes.
4. Tensions and Opposition: Show how backlash, religious groups and conservative voices challenged change.
5. Evaluation: Balance evidence. Reforms were significant but did not completely transform society immediately.

Tip: Always link legal and cultural reforms to wider social change and public attitudes, but also reference time lags to explain the changes over time.

Conclusion

The 1960s in Britain represented a remarkable period of social transformation. Legal reforms on abortion, divorce and homosexuality expanded personal freedoms. Youth culture, mass media and relaxed censorship reshaped public life, while women increasingly challenged traditional roles.

Yet social change was uneven. Opposition from conservatives, churches and parts of the public reflected lingering tensions. For historians and students, this period illustrates how legislation, culture and social attitudes interact to create lasting change, while also showing that transformations are rarely total or immediate.

The next blog will explore The End of Post-War Consensus, 1970–1979, including Heath’s government, industrial relations and the social developments that defined Britain before Thatcherism.

The End of Consensus, 1970–1979: Heath, Wilson, Callaghan and Crisis in Britain