The 1960s in England was a time of change, especially in regards to social norms, but that doesn’t mean that women still weren’t faced with many tightly controlled expectations that prevented them from doing certain things. Let’s take a closer look at the biggest limitations a woman would have during this decade.
Open a Bank Account Without a Male Guarantor
Imagine wanting to manage your finances but being told you couldn’t even open a bank account on your own. In the 1960s, women in England were required to have a male guarantor—usually a husband, father, or another male relative—co-sign to open an account because banks operated on the assumption that women weren’t financially stable.
Access Contraception Easily
While the contraceptive pill was introduced in 1961, its availability was strictly limited. Only married women could access it, and even they often faced judgment from doctors or pharmacists who acted as moral gatekeepers, while for unmarried women, contraception was not just hard to obtain—it was a social taboo.
Serve on a Jury
Despite being half the population, women were underrepresented when it came to serving on a jury, as only those aged between 30 to 60 and who owned property were permitted to serve, thanks to the Juries Act of 1922.
In practice, this exclusion meant that women’s perspectives were largely absent from the justice system, and cases that affected women’s lives, such as those involving domestic violence or sexual assault, were decided entirely by men.
Apply for a Mortgage Independently
To say that only those women in a certain age bracket who owned property were encouraged to serve on a jury they sure made it hard for women to gain a mortgage independently at all. Despite the fact a woman could have a stable job and the income to show for it, mortgage lenders commonly refused to approve her application—unless a man co-signed it.
Wear Trousers to Certain Public Places
The 60s did see a rise in more casual and experimental fashion, yet trousers were still considered inappropriate for women in many formal settings, such as restaurants, workplaces, and even some schools. These locations had unspoken (or explicit) rules that women had to wear skirts or dresses to be admitted or taken seriously.
Obtain Equal Pay
The wage gap was justified by claims that men were the primary breadwinners, while women’s earnings were merely supplemental, and such financial disparity not only undervalued women’s contributions but also perpetuated the notion that their work was less important or skilled than men’s.
As a result, female workers were routinely paid far less than men, even when doing the exact same job.
Work While Pregnant Without Fear of Dismissal
Those who were pregnant and tried to stay on the job often faced intense discrimination or were pushed into roles deemed less “demanding.” Without maternity protections or leave policies, women had little choice but to leave the workforce when they started families, often derailing their careers permanently.
File for Divorce on Equal Grounds
Getting a divorce was no small feat for women in this decade, either, thanks to the legal system, which made it far easier for men to file for divorce than for women. Serious fault had to be proven by the female spouse—such as infidelity, cruelty, or desertion—on her husband’s part, while men often faced fewer obstacles in ending a marriage.
Play Professional Sports on Equal Terms
Opportunities for female athletes in professional sports were virtually nonexistent compared to men’s leagues and competitions that were flourishing with ample funding and media coverage. Women’s sports were largely dismissed as amateur pastimes, and even in sports where women excelled, they were often denied equal access to facilities, training resources, and prize money.
Inherit Property Equally (In Some Cases)
The practice of automatically passing down the property to male heirs was rooted in the belief that men were better suited to manage wealth and property, leaving women dependent on their fathers, brothers, or husbands for financial security.
Though it was true that legally, women did have a right to inherit, it was often the case that men were still favoured regardless in some cases.
Apply for Certain Jobs
Certain professions, particularly in fields like engineering, law, and medicine, were dominated by men, and women who tried to break into these areas faced blatant discrimination and hostility.
Employers often refused to hire women for roles deemed too challenging or unsuitable, steering them instead toward “acceptable” jobs like secretarial work, teaching, or nursing.
Make Decisions About Their Own Children
Can you imagine a time when you weren’t allowed to make a decision about your own child? In the 1960s England, mothers had limited legal rights when it came to their children; therefore, in cases of divorce or separation, fathers were typically granted custody, even if the mother was the primary caregiver.
They Were Discouraged From Some University Programs
Pursuing advanced degrees as a woman meant you were setting yourself up to face scepticism and discrimination, with many being steered toward fields considered “appropriate” for their gender. There were no formal legal restrictions stopping women from other fields, but society would be sure to tell them what was expected of them.
Compete in Marathon Races
Those women who wanted to compete in long-distance running events, including marathons, were commonly barred, and this was due to prevailing myths about their physical abilities, with the consideration that they might be too “fragile” for such strenuous activities. Female runners were left to compete unofficially or disguise themselves as men to prove their capabilities.
Access Credit Without a Male Co-Signer
Just as women couldn’t open a bank account on their own, they also couldn’t obtain credit without a male guarantor; loans, credit cards, and other forms of financing were only available to women if a man agreed to it.
Needless to say, it severely limited women’s ability to invest in their own futures if they needed a financial helping hand.
Being Recognised as Head of Household
Regardless of their role within the family or their contributions to the household income, women were automatically considered dependents, even though they technically had a legal right to be the official head of the household. In most cases, people simply viewed the man as the head of the house and primary decision-maker.
Serve in Frontline Military Roles
Women in the 1960s who joined the military were confined to auxiliary or support roles, as frontline combat positions were strictly off-limits. Society doubted women’s physical and emotional resilience for combat, relegating them to behind-the-scenes roles like intelligence and communications——but that doesn’t mean their job was any less important.
Retain Their Maiden Name After Marriage
While it wasn’t illegal for a woman to refuse her husband’s surname when marrying him, it was very much encouraged or expected in society that a woman should take it. Some women did choose to keep their maiden name, but they were then labelled as rebels against the way of things.
Report Domestic Abuse and Be Taken Seriously
Domestic violence was often ignored or dismissed as a private matter in the 60s, meaning those who reported abuse to the police or sought help from the legal system were frequently met with indifference or disbelief.
Without adequate legal protections or support services, many women were left to endure abusive situations with little hope for intervention.