Key learning points

1. After World War 2, the British economy recovered and there was an increase in the number of women in paid employment.
2. During the 1950s, most people continued to believe that a woman's role should be focused on the home.
3. Women campaigned for equality with men and these campaigns gathered momentum during the 1960s and 1970s.
4. Campaigns to end discrimination against women in the workplace were only partially successful and progress was slow.
5. The contraceptive pill and the legalisation of abortion meant women had more control over if and when they had children.

Keywords

• Discrimination - discrimination is when someone is treated unfairly or differently because of certain characteristics, like their race, sex, gender, age or religion

• Feminist - a person who believes in social, economic and political equality between men and women is a feminist

• Equality - equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities

• Strike - a strike is a form of protest that involves refusing to work

Common misconception