Analyzing the Impact of the 1960s on Contemporary British Life

This essay examines the profound impact of the 1960s on the sociology of modern Britain, focusing on cultural, social, economic, and political transformations. It discusses how the era's cultural shifts, including the rise of youth culture and influential music, have shaped modern teenage life and artistic expression. The essay also explores social reforms like feminism and changing social laws, highlighting their influence on women's independence and roles in society. Furthermore, it analyzes the economic growth of the 1960s and its reflection in modern living standards, as well as the political events and revolutions that continue to shape contemporary British politics. The paper concludes that the 1960s were pivotal in shaping the social fabric of the United Kingdom.

Sociology of Modern Britain
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Introduction
The 1960s is known to be an era that saw various transformations in the history of the United
Kingdom. History has a way of influencing people's way of life. History of Great Britain has had
a very impactful in the way of life of various individuals in the United Kingdom. This write-up
seeks to determine how the era of the 1960s has had an impact on the way people live today. The
1960s are believed to be a decade that saw a rapid change in British society in all aspects. In
doing so this write-up will look at various issues such as politics, culture, social reforms as well
as economic issues and how they have had an impact on the way of life in the modern United
Kingdom.
Culture
The 1960s saw the emergence of the first teenage generation that was actually free from
conscription. Young people were finally given the freedom and the voice that they had wanted.
This is so because quite a number of parents had spent their time in the 1950s fighting in World
War II and they wished that their children have and enjoy their freedom.
One of the defining aspects of the 1960s in Britain was music. The 1960s saw the emergence of
various groups that revolutionized music in early Britain. Despite the fact that rock and roll
began having a meaningful effect in the 1950s it was until in the early 1960s that saw the rise of
various groups such as the Beatles.1 The music that was made during this particular time was
1 Mazullo, Mark. "Fans and Critics: Greil Marcus's Mystery Train as Rock'n'Roll History."
In Rock Music, pp. 11-35. Routledge, 2017.

very inspiring and it inspired people towards avoiding cruelty from the authorities. Such kind of
music was very impactful as it made youths and young people across the country begin to stand
up for issues and aspects they believed in.
In addition to that music was used as a very important tool towards addressing various social
issues such as conflict. John Lennon a well-known British musician during that time had a role
towards this issue.
The youth culture in Britain in the 1960s focused on fashion and music. The mod and rockers
were two British subcultures back in the 1960s that had very conflicting opinions.2 This went to
the extent that they were branded the name folk devils because of a fight that happened between
that that sparkled moral panic across British.
Various cultural aspects characterized Britain in the 1960s as discussed above. Some various
activities in that period of have really influenced people's way off in recent years. For instance,
the freedom of youths and teenagers in recent years in Britain was inspired by similar
happenings in the 1960s. Unlike in the 1960s, however, teenagers in the United Kingdom enjoy
a totally different version of freedom. As a result of modernization and advancements in
technology, most teenagers spend their free time and the freedom they have in chatting and
texting with friends, hanging out with their mates and loved ones.3 They also engage in activities
2 Thompson, Bill, and Cecil Greek. "Mods and rockers, drunken debutants, and sozzled students:
Moral panic or the British silly season?." Sage Open 2, no. 3 (2012): 2158244012455177
3 Brake, Michael. The Sociology of Youth Culture and Youth Subcultures (Routledge Revivals):
Sex and Drugs and Rock'n'Roll?. Routledge, 2013.

such as listening to music on their MP3 players, go shopping or just spend some time on movies
with their friends and family. Despite the differences in activities that teenagers get engaged
within modern Britain in comparison to Britain in the 1960s, we clearly see that in one way or
another the 1960s have influenced modern day living for teenagers as there is much freedom that
is given to teenagers in modern Britain as it was in the 1960s.4
Other aspects such as music also characterized the 1960s, music was very influential during the
1960s and it quite a number of artists and songwriters were very influential and pushed quite a
number of social changes and reforms through their music.5 John Lennon for instance played a
very crucial role in condemning issues of conflict. This has really influenced life in modern
Britain. Quite a number of artist, songwriters and famous musicians have used their influence in
4 Flinn, Andrew. "Archival activism: Independent and community-led archives, radical public
history and the heritage professions." InterActions: UCLA Journal of Education and Information
Studies 7, no. 2 (2011).
5 Hughes, Celia. "Young socialist men in 1960s Britain: Subjectivity and Sociability." In History
Workshop Journal, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 170-192. Oxford University Press, 2012.

promoting various issues and campaigning against issues such as gang violence and brutality.6 In
addition to that, some artist has used their influence to raise awareness on issues such as cancer.
Social and Social reforms
This refers to the integration as well as the social attitudes and relationships of individuals. In the
1960s, Britain witnessed quite a number of social reforms that have dramatically influenced the
way of life if individuals in modern Britain.
First and foremost, in the 1960s feminism became so influential and jobs became more available
to young women and ladies during that particular time.7 Feminism was characterized by a
number of aspects such as women and young ladies moving away from their homes as they had
become more independent.
Just like in the 1960s, feminism in modern Britain sought to establish equality for women in all
spheres; political, economic and social. Feminism in the 1960s has really inspired modern
feminism. For instance, there is increased independence among women in the United Kingdom
6 Street, Joe. "MUSIC FANDOM IN 1960S BRITAIN." Subcultures, Popular Music and Social
Change (2014): 195.
7 Morgan, Kenneth O., 2nd ed. The Oxford History of Britain. OUP Oxford, 2010.

today. Statistics indicate that the number of single mothers has risen with over 6.8% over the last
five years.8 This demonstrates a level of accountability among women.
In addition to this, women have been at the forefront of securing high profile jobs in the United
Kingdom. Just like in the 1960s, women are currently becoming more interested and involved in
politics. Barbara Castle became the first lady to be appointed as secretary of state in 1968. Since
then we have had various women in different political and leadership positions in the country.
Some of these women leaders are; Katy Bourne, Vera Baird, Alison Hernandez, Jennette Arnold
and Nicky Gavron among others.9 This clearly indicates that women have found a voice in
society and can now be involved in the affairs of running the country.
Various advancements in technology as well had an impact on social co-existence among people
in the 1960s. Technological advancements changed how people spent their free and leisure time.
8 Rousou, Elena, C. Kouta, N. Middleton, and M. Karanikola. "Single mothers’ self‐assessment
of health: a systematic exploration of the literature." International Nursing Review 60, no. 4
(2013): 425-434.
9 Mavin, Sharon, Gina Grandy, and Jannine Williams. "Experiences of women elite leaders doing
gender: Intra‐gender micro‐violence between women." British Journal of Management 25, no. 3
(2014): 439-455.

Employment opportunities allowed people to spend more on leisure and other recreational
facilities.10 The teenagers, for instance, most of them owned a transistor radio that allowed them
to listen to music. This has been reflected in the modern way of life in Britain, women have
become more independent and they often spend their free time in various leisure activities such
as swimming and hiking. Teenagers, on the other hand, own various electronic gadgets such as
stereo systems, mobile phones that enable them to enjoy their free time.
The 160s also saw the liberalization of various social laws.11 This is in relation to divorce and the
issue of abortions. Moreover, the position of women in the workplace drastically improved. This
was after the parliament passed a law that allowed women to be paid well and that they should
not be discriminated against because of their gender. In modern Britain, women are being
respected and they have earned the same position as their male counterparts.
Economic
10 Nickel, Ashley. "Abusing The System: Domestic Violence Judgments From Sharia Arbitration
Tribunals Create Parallel Legal Structures in the United Kingdom." Arb. Brief 4 (2014): 92.
11 Evans, Tanya. "The Other Woman and her Child: extra‐marital affairs and illegitimacy in
twentieth‐century Britain." Women's History Review 20, no. 1 (2011): 47-65.

The period of the 1960s was very clinical, especially to Britain's economy. This period was
characterized by rapid economic growth that was reflected by the rise in the living standards of
citizens during that time. The diagram below shows the levels of economic growth in the 1960s.
Diagram 1.0: Economic growth of Britain in the 1960s. 12
12 Hay, Colin. "Treating the symptom not the condition: Crisis definition, deficit reduction
and
the search for a new British growth model." The British journal of politics and international
relations 15, no. 1 (2013): 23-37.

Households were in a position to purchase quite a wide range of luxury goods and products.
Moreover, this period was witnessed by numerous emerging markets. Teenagers as well had a
very great disposable income that they spent in various activities such as music.
Economic growth of the United Kingdom has been reflected by various issues today such as a
measure of well-being of individuals in relative to other countries in the Better Life Index.
Statistics indicate that the United Kingdom ranks above average in various areas such as health
status, education, and skill, environmental quality, and security among others. 13
Well, the economic growth of the United Kingdom been reflected by its better living conditions
of its people and a rise in its population living standards. For instance, 74% of its population are
13 Stead, Henry, and Edith Hall, eds. Greek and Roman Classics in the British Struggle for Social
Reform. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2015.

paid well paid and are no jobs with a high level of security.14 In addition to that, the life
expectancy is at 81 years old in the United Kingdom.
The 1960s was an era of full employment. In comparison to other periods such as the early 20th
century, this period of time was characterized by full-time employment. As a matter of fact, it
was during this period alone in the history of the United Kingdom that there was a challenge of a
labor shortage in various industries across the country. This triggered mass immigration from
various Commonwealth countries.
Currently, the level of unemployment in the United Kingdom is really low. Statistics indicate
that only 7.3% of the United Kingdom's population is experiencing persistent poverty. Levels of
poverty are relatively low as a result of employment opportunities as people can easily find
themselves jobs and sustain their life.
Political
The 1960 era marked quite a number of political events and political revolutions that have had a
very great influence in modern politics in the United Kingdom today. First and foremost, it is
important to note that this era saw both the Labour party and the Conservative come tow power.
It was marked by three successful prime ministers that steered quite a number during their tenure
in power.
14 Böckerman, Petri, Pekka Ilmakunnas, and Edvard Johansson. "Job security and employee well-
being: Evidence from matched survey and register data." Labour Economics 18, no. 4 (2011):
547-554.

Harold Macmillan of the Conservative came to power between 1957 to1963. During this
particular time, Britain was facing quite a number of economic troubles as well as confronting its
loss of world power status.15
Sir Alec Douglas of the Conservative party later came into power between 1963 to 1964 after
which he was replaced by Harold Wilson of the Labour party that took over from 1944 to 1970.
During this period, Britain underwent quite a number of revolutions that have really influenced
modern politics in the United Kingdom.
This era saw the appointment of Barbara Castle as the first women secretary of state. This
marked a new beginning because since then there has been an increase in women participation in
various leadership positions. This has really inspired and changed the shape of politics in recent
years in the United Kingdom. Women are equally contesting with men for different leadership
and political positions in the United Kingdom regardless of their gender. Some of the well-
known women leaders and politicians in the United Kingdom today are so many. Some of these
are; Katy Bourne, Vera Baird, Alison Hernandez, Jennette Arnold, and Nicky Gavron among
others.
The governments of this era often found themselves caught up in a number of issues such as
economic constraints and raising the livings standards of its citizens as per the public's
15 Fleckenstein, Timo, and Soohyun Christine Lee. "The politics of postindustrial social policy:
family policy reforms in Britain, Germany, South Korea, and Sweden." Comparative Political
Studies 47, no. 4 (2014): 601-630.

expectations.16 Despite all these obstacles, all the three governments of this particular time
managed to overcome them and thrived over time.
In recent years in the United Kingdom, there are quite a number of challenges such as the threat
of terrorism, the threat of inflation and Brexit. It is a common thing that there are challenges
facing the united kingdom today just like in the 1960s,
Conclusion
The 1960s was an era that saw quite a number of transformations in the history of the United
Kingdom. These transformations were in all dimensions; political, social, economic and cultural.
What is interesting, however, is the fact that all these transformations that happened during this
particular time have in one way or another influence activities in the today United Kingdom as
seen in some of the illustrations above.
16 Floud, Roderick, Jane Humphries, and Paul Johnson, eds. The Cambridge Economic History of
Modern Britain: Volume 1, Industrialisation, 1700–1870. Cambridge University Press, 2014.