Social Developments/Tensions 1956-78

• The economic boom in the 1960s resulted in rapid urbanisation. The expansion of better paid employment in tourism and industry attracted agricultural workers to leave rural areas to seek a better standard of living in cities and major tourist resorts. Overall, Spain's rural population fell from 38% in 1960 to around 22% in 1975.
• During 1956-75, the provision of social welfare improved within Spain. In 1950, only 29% of the Spanish population were covered by government social welfare schemes. By 1974, this had increased to 79%. The rapid growth of the Spanish economy and increased foreign investment meant more funds were available to the government to expand welfare schemes.
• In 1963, Obligatory Health Insurance was introduced, which meant that all Spanish workers became part of a healthcare system. The system was extended to migrant workers in 1971. This meant the provision of healthcare improved. The number of doctors increased from one doctor for every 650 citizens in 1950 to one doctor for every 106 citizens by 1975. This also resulted in declining infant mortality rates and increasing life expectancy rates (in 1950 = 62, 1975 = 73).
• The economic boom had an impact on the Spanish education system has the government realised it needed a more skilled and educated workforce to encourage economic growth. Education thus received more support and government funding. All children were given free infant school education, contributing to a fall in illiteracy rates. In 1960, illiteracy stood at 11% and by 1970, this had fallen to 6%.
• Investment in Spanish universities also increased. In 1959, Spain had 12 universities, but this had increased to 22 by 1974. As a result, the number of Spanish students attempting university also grew. The number of women attending university also grew dramatically, with women representing 1/3 of all university students by 1970.
• Economic growth resulted in growing consumerism. Advertising in the 1960s and early 1970s encouraged individuals to enjoy a lifestyle that was very different to one promoted by the Catholic Church. Spanish youth began to embrace a more modern lifestyle, which included:

  • drinking alcohol
  • dating, and sex before marriage
  • listening to pop music
  • smoking
  • watching Hollywood films
• Increased prosperity undermined opposition, which benefitted the government. Government propaganda claimed the consumer boom to be the result of 'peace of Franco', peace that allowed Spanish people to work hard and enjoy the fruits of their labour. Consequently, consumerism helped secure support for Franco's regime.
• However, there were limits to the extent of social change during this period. The Catholic Church still had a powerful influence in issues relating to women's rights, sexual morality, the school curriculum and sex education.
• • Condoms and the contraceptive pill were banned.
  • Abortion remained illegal.
  • Homosexuality was condemned. It was only outlawed in 1970. Even so, Franco's police punished any public signs of male same-sex affection.
  • In 1970, the Social Menace and Rehabilitation Act established 're-education clinics' in which gay men were subjected to electroshock 'therapy' to try and 'cure' them of their homosexuality.
  • Production and sale of pornography were forbidden.
• Catholic moral beliefs continued to be supported by the government and media. However, many Spaniards were beginning to move away from the strict Catholic moral code. For example, in 1974, government statistics reported that approximately 300000 illegal abortions were carried out.
• While homosexual men were persecuted and eventually outlawed, lesbianism was regarded very differently. It is argued that Franco's government didn't persecute lesbianism as they couldn't imagine a situation in which women were sexually attracted to each other. Although the 1970 law banned homosexuality, out of 4000 investigations into homosexuality between 1970 and 1976, only 2 concerned lesbians.
• Because the Spanish government couldn't imagine lesbianism, public displays of affection between women were not prohibited as they were assumed to be platonic. Franco's censors even allowed publication of novels dealing with lesbian relationships, such as Ana Maria Moix's 'Julia' (1970), as they didn't understand the significance of what they were reading.