Singleness in Britain, 1960-1990: Identity, Gender and Social Change

This significant and highly readable book tells the story of Britain from 1960-1990 through the often overlooked perspective of singleness. It demonstrates the nuances and complexities of that category through an extensive, and engaging, reading of the press, cultural and sociological sources. It is authoritative, well structured and has a clear interpretative arc, offering new understandings of home and parenthood in this period along the way. Importantly the book pays equal attention to the status of men and women showing the interplay between bachelordom and spinsterhood at a time when both categories were undergoing fundamental shifts. The author has a first rate grasp of the research context and deploys the primary source base with real skill. The book should appeal to both scholarly and wider audiences, providing a much needed exploration of an important topic.

Claire Langhamer

Professor of Modern British History

HAHP Director of Research

University of Sussex