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Difficulty: MediumSocial Changes of the 1960s

The 'Swinging Sixties' was a decade of profound social change in the UK, marked by the global success of bands like The Beatles and the fashion designs of Mary Quant. Alongside these cultural shifts, several landmark legal reforms were enacted. What was the name of the 1967 Act that made it legal for a woman to have an abortion under specific conditions?

  1. A
    The Sexual Offences Act
  2. The Abortion ActAnswer
  3. C
    The Divorce Reform Act
  4. D
    The Race Relations Act

Answer

The Abortion Act was the 1967 legislation that legalised abortion in England, Scotland, and Wales under certain conditions.
The Abortion Act, passed in 1967, was a significant part of the 'permissive society' reforms of the 1960s. It made abortion legal in England, Scotland, and Wales, provided certain medical or social conditions were met, representing a major shift in women's rights and social policy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context
The question refers to the 'Swinging Sixties' (1960s), a period of social liberalisation and cultural change in the UK.
Establishing the decade helps narrow down the relevant legislation mentioned in the official handbook.
2
Differentiate between 1960s liberalising laws
The handbook identifies the Abortion Act (1967), the Sexual Offences Act (1967), and the Divorce Reform Act (1969) as key reforms.
Distinguishing the specific years and purposes of these Acts is necessary for an accurate answer.
3
Match the specific legal reform to the question
The law that legalised the termination of pregnancy under specific conditions is the Abortion Act.
This directly matches the definition and date provided in the Life in the UK handbook.

Key Concept

The social liberalisation of the 1960s and the specific laws that reflected this shift.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Social Changes of the 1960s

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