Singleness in Britain, 1960-1990 : identity, gender and social change
In this thesis I consider the relationship between gender and singleness between 1960 and 1990, arguing that, as an identity category, singleness can shed light on the changing gender norms and broader context of social change. The 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were crucial decades in the development of new ideas about gender and sexuality. However, the perceived differences between single men and women, and what was socially sanctioned for each, highlighted the continuing influence of the sexual double standard. The persistence of stereotypes about spinsterhood well into the 1980s complicated the notion of social progress during the 1960s and 1970s, and shows that less progressive views about women were still readily accessible. Likewise, the bachelor playboy mythology that popularly defined single men simplified masculinity and desirable male behaviour. Divided thematically into chapters about single stereotypes, the home and single parenthood, this thesis looks at how single identity was categorised through language, popular culture, the press and sociological literature.
Priscott, Emily
DA History of Great Britain ; HQ0018.55 Gender identity ; HQ0800 Single people
Singleness in Britain, 1960-1990 : identity, gender and social change. In this thesis I consider the relationship between gender and singleness between 1960 and 1990, arguing that, as an identity category, singleness can shed light on the changing gender norms and broader context of social change. The 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were crucial decades in the development of new ideas about gender and sexuality. However, the perceived differences between single men and women, and what was socially sanctioned for each, highlighted the continuing influence of the sexual double standard. The persistence of stereotypes about spinsterhood well into the 1980s complicated the notion of social progress during the 1960s and 1970s, and shows that less progressive views about women were still readily accessible. Likewise, the bachelor playboy mythology that popularly defined single men simplified masculinity and desirable male behaviour. Divided thematically into chapters about single stereotypes, the home and single parenthood, this thesis looks at how single identity was categorised through language, popular culture, the press and sociological literature.
britain identity gender social_change consider relationship gender argue identity category shed_light change gender_norm broader context social_change crucial decade development new_idea gender sexuality however perceive difference single men_woman socially sanction highlight continue_influence sexual double standard persistence stereotype well notion social progress show less progressive view woman still readily accessible likewise bachelor mythology popularly define single men simplify masculinity desirable male behaviour divided thematically single stereotype home single look single identity categorise language popular_culture press sociological literature