Dating in the 60's & 70's: New Music and Fashion

In the 1960’s a bill to legalise homosexuality shuffled through the House of Commons transforming the lives of gay men who were, legally, less at risk. Nevertheless, equality was far from achieved as 30,000 men were still arrested between 1967-2003 for behaviour that would have been tolerated had their partner been a woman. 

Moving into the 70’s, dating had long drifted from traditional courtship rules. There was more variety in music than ever before: Funk, soul, R&B, Rock and Roll all carved their way into the 70’s. David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd to name a few. The 70s were a golden era for vinyl records as they were affordable and almost everyone had a record player. 

Thus dating had progressed from controlled and obedient courting to the rebellious, radical hippie culture that had begun in the 1960’s. 

Communication had changed too, still without mobiles, partners would call each other on the landline – creating a path of curly hurdles with the phone wire as they walked around the house. 

Ballroom dancing was less common by the 70’s when it came to meeting people. Instead, friends would meet in bars and pubs often with live music from local bands. 

Joni Mitchell 1972

Fashion had also transformed, suits and comb-overs were a thing of the past, as were 50’s dresses and the poodle cut. Fashion was bold and overstated with flares, platforms and suede introduced in the 60’s. Style icons such as Joni Mitchell and Cher brought tie dye blouses and billowing kaftans on the scene, which have come back into fashion several times (Although, do they ever really leave?).  

Not only did the style of dating advance, the principle of dating – from a woman’s perspective – was questioned. Gloria Steinem, arguably the women’s movement loudest activist once said “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” 

To conclude, here is transcript with the same questions in my second blog, but with answers from my Mum, who dated during the 1970's:

Next week we will reach our last decade: the Digital Age. Please stay tuned!