Social developments: rising living standards; the impact of affluence and…

The idea

Between 1951 and 1964, Britain saw rising living standards driven by affluence and consumerism, exemplified by surging television and car ownership. This prosperity fuelled changing social attitudes and tensions, challenging traditional class structures and 'the Establishment' through the satire boom. Despite this, the position of women remained largely domestic, though part-time work expanded. The era witnessed shifting attitudes to immigration, culminating in racial violence like the 1958 Notting Hill riots. Concurrently, rising disposable incomes facilitated the emergence of the 'teenager' and a distinct youth culture. Subcultures like Mods and Rockers, alongside new music and fashion, amplified generational divides and societal anxieties.

What earns the marks

• Assess the evidence for rising living standards, including wage increases, housing improvements, and the proliferation of consumer goods.
• Analyse the challenge to 'the Establishment' and class deference, referencing cultural shifts such as the 'Angry Young Men' and the satire boom.
• Evaluate the continuity and change in the position of women, contrasting the persistent domestic ideal with the gradual increase in female employment.
• Examine the causes and consequences of racial violence, specifically the 1958 Notting Hill riots and the subsequent 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act.
• Explain the economic and cultural factors that led to the emergence of the 'teenager' and distinct youth subcultures.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Overstating the extent of social revolution.

  Put it right: While attitudes began to shift, Britain in 1964 remained a deeply traditional and class-bound society.

• Assuming the position of women transformed dramatically; students often confuse the 1950s with the later feminist movements of the 1970s, missing the prevailing domestic focus of this era.

• Treating youth culture as a purely rebellious movement without acknowledging its commercial roots.

  Put it right: The 'teenager' was largely a product of increased disposable income and targeted consumerism.

Exam tips

• Use specific cultural examples, such as the Profumo Affair or 'Beyond the Fringe', to demonstrate the declining deference towards 'the Establishment'.
• Link economic developments to social changes, showing how the post-war boom directly funded the new consumerism and youth culture.
• When discussing immigration, ensure you balance the narrative of racial violence with the economic necessity of immigrant labour in sectors like transport and the NHS.