The Swingin' Sixties
Gender Equality/Roles
By the end of the Sixties, more than 80 percent of wives were using contraception because the government in 1960 approved a birth control pill. This meant it was easier and less risky for a woman to have sex without the risk of pregnancy (and so have sex unmarried), and pursue a career as there was a minimised risk of having to look after a child. Due to both of these things, gender roles slowly became less clear cut, with women being capable (although unlikely due to unequal pay) to be the breadwinner of a family or be more independent as a whole - they didn't 'need' a man to pay for them, so it became more socially acceptable to not have one.
Pay inequality was also addressed in the Sixties. With more women being in the workforce there was more of an outcry about the massive wage gap. This lead to feminists passionately work towards pay being made fairer, a thing that by the end of the decade was more commonly accepted by society (Equal Pay law passed in 1963). However, there was (and still is) the issue that pay for 'traditionally female' jobs was still very low, which was also hotly debated.
Feminism as a whole was also on the rise in the 60s, with many women being radicalized by the growing ideas of freedom and equality.
This theme was also prevalent in the social life of women, which was a result of the 'reliance on men' ideology. For example, men were the deciding force when pursuing a relationship, with the woman being viewed as lucky just to be in a relationship (which commonly lead to marriage) because she would be looked after by him. With the increase in independence this started to change, with women not needing men and as a result beginning to choose their partners, rather than the opposite.
The Rolling Stones
Sex Icons. Super Group. Possibly the most famous act of the time. The group had an odd and often contradictory relationship with women's rights.
On the one hand, the group often showed a sexist streak, encouraging women's current role in society and actively rejected their attempts and work to overcome such a role. This contrasts with groups such as the Beatles, who while also considered sexist in some regard were more subtle and gentle with their message, and was more likely a result of cultural views at the time rather than direct opposition.
However, some songs contradicted the theme, with messages in support of the cause coming through and becoming anthems for the movement and with feminists of the time. This was especially effective as culturally at the time music was one of the most, if not the most, important medium around, (‘The most important field of all, in terms of how it allowed young people to shape their own environment, was pop music’ - Mark Donnelly, Historian) able to influence all manners of people due to radio and the ever-growing in popularity TV. So while not sole motivators, they did open the subject up to discussion for the masses, an important role for the progression made. They were also influential in general with youth culture due to their partying image and music, which meant that regardless of political opinion they were still influential in that they spread a message.
Politics in the Sixties
The Sixties were a time of massive change culturally, and as a result politically. Examples such as Martin Luther King Junior and the fall of segregation in America, to the rise of feminism (especially radical) in the UK, are evidence of a large cultural shift to the Left Wing of politics (more liberal). World War 2 is the most commonly accepted reason for this, as the time and recovery after the war was an appropriate time for people to reflect and act on their opinions. For example the lack of men due to losses in the war, plus women being called upon to fill traditionally male jobs, resulted in women being more accepted and sometimes needed in the workplace.
By the end of the Sixties, more than 80 percent of wives were using contraception because the government in 1960 approved a birth control pill. This meant it was easier and less risky for a woman to have sex without the risk of pregnancy (and so have sex unmarried), and pursue a career as there was a minimised risk of having to look after a child. Due to both of these things, gender roles slowly became less clear cut, with women being capable (although unlikely due to unequal pay) to be the breadwinner of a family or be more independent as a whole - they didn't 'need' a man to pay for them, so it became more socially acceptable to not have one.
Pay inequality was also addressed in the Sixties. With more women being in the workforce there was more of an outcry about the massive wage gap. This lead to feminists passionately work towards pay being made fairer, a thing that by the end of the decade was more commonly accepted by society (Equal Pay law passed in 1963). However, there was (and still is) the issue that pay for 'traditionally female' jobs was still very low, which was also hotly debated.
Feminism as a whole was also on the rise in the 60s, with many women being radicalized by the growing ideas of freedom and equality.
This theme was also prevalent in the social life of women, which was a result of the 'reliance on men' ideology. For example, men were the deciding force when pursuing a relationship, with the woman being viewed as lucky just to be in a relationship (which commonly lead to marriage) because she would be looked after by him. With the increase in independence this started to change, with women not needing men and as a result beginning to choose their partners, rather than the opposite.
The Rolling Stones
Sex Icons. Super Group. Possibly the most famous act of the time. The group had an odd and often contradictory relationship with women's rights.
On the one hand, the group often showed a sexist streak, encouraging women's current role in society and actively rejected their attempts and work to overcome such a role. This contrasts with groups such as the Beatles, who while also considered sexist in some regard were more subtle and gentle with their message, and was more likely a result of cultural views at the time rather than direct opposition.
However, some songs contradicted the theme, with messages in support of the cause coming through and becoming anthems for the movement and with feminists of the time. This was especially effective as culturally at the time music was one of the most, if not the most, important medium around, (‘The most important field of all, in terms of how it allowed young people to shape their own environment, was pop music’ - Mark Donnelly, Historian) able to influence all manners of people due to radio and the ever-growing in popularity TV. So while not sole motivators, they did open the subject up to discussion for the masses, an important role for the progression made. They were also influential in general with youth culture due to their partying image and music, which meant that regardless of political opinion they were still influential in that they spread a message.
Politics in the Sixties
The Sixties were a time of massive change culturally, and as a result politically. Examples such as Martin Luther King Junior and the fall of segregation in America, to the rise of feminism (especially radical) in the UK, are evidence of a large cultural shift to the Left Wing of politics (more liberal). World War 2 is the most commonly accepted reason for this, as the time and recovery after the war was an appropriate time for people to reflect and act on their opinions. For example the lack of men due to losses in the war, plus women being called upon to fill traditionally male jobs, resulted in women being more accepted and sometimes needed in the workplace.
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