Division to unity: social developments, 1949-1989
Nazi legacy
Working class
Elites + middle class
Women
Youths
Modern culture
Social issues
In 1987, 2.2 million people were unemployed.
The government wanted to prevent immigration due to high unemployment, so they offered grants to encourage Gastarbeiters to return to their home countries.
Unemployment remained under 1% from 1961 to 1966, however, steadily increased which was intensified by the 1973 oil crisis.
Ageing society, with a declining birth rate and rising life expectancy.
The APO movement:
Brandt's 70s social reforms - abortion legalised 1976, accessible contraception + divorce made easier in 1977.
Only 5.2% of professors were female.
By 1989, women were 50% of the workforce, however they tended to only be in part-time jobs and not in management positions.
1974, voting age lowered to 18.
Declining birth rate since the 60s.
1980 Discrimination Act, prevnted indirect and direct discrimination on ground of sex inn the workforce, but the pay gap remained.
Traditional expectations for women remained prevalent.
1968 Student protests:
By 1984, only 3% of youths saw their parents as role models.
Increased educational and university spending.
Brandt made higher education free and grants were created for students to cover living costs..
British/American influences in fashion and music.
By 1989, Germany's 40 universities had over 1 million students.
The middle class grew in the FRG, due to general prosperity, increased educational opportunities and the expansion of the service sector.
As the economy grew, there was more 'white-collar' (non-manual) jobs available.
Post-war german society was still very divided by class.
The elites maintain a level of influence in society, larlg through being business owners.
Enjoyed increased affluence.
There was initially cheap labour from East Germany, however this stopped after the Berlin went up in 1961.
They benefited from shorter working hours and the new system of trade unions working in cooperation with management.
Gastarbeiter took the lowest paying and least skilled jobs.
In 1983, less than 6% of the workforce worked in agriculture.
By the late 80s the FRG society was predominantly affluent, although there were some pockets of poverty, often among the Gastarbeiter communities.
Those in farming benefited from EEC subsidies and mechanisation.