‘In the years 1964 to 1979, society in Britain was transformed’. Assess the validity of this view (25 marks).

‘In the years 1964 to 1979, society in Britain was transformed’. Assess the validity of this view (25 marks).

Introduction -

For social historians, such as Marwick, they would argue that Britain during the sixties and seventies did undergo a social and cultural revolution. With the emergence of youth culture and technological advances characterising Britain in this era. Although this concept is not universally accepted, as many criticise Marwick’s view stating that his theory of social change cannot be separated into change and continuity. The backlash against the new ‘permissive society’ can be used to prove there was no real social revolution as this stopped it. However, the intensity of the backlash also shows that there was a social revolution by the controversy caused.

Paragraph 1 - (support).

Structural and ideological revolution (Marwick) - 

• Structural (bottom-up, from society), affluence of post-war boom and technological advances. 
• Ideological (top-down, political), focus on equality - race relations acts, divorce reform.
• Combination created the idea of a ‘permissive society’, female equality - abortion act and deforce reform (ideological), second-wave feminism, ‘The Feminine Mystique’ examination of women’s roles, need to leave their traditional roles behind for a sense of fulfilment, living a suburban life is “burying women…