BACK PAGES:The "swinging London" of the 1960s might have broken moulds but it was not necessarily as revolutionary as it seemed at the time, as this report by London editor Andrew Whittaker for the "Women First" page about a survey of young men's attitudes indicates:
IF YOU are young and blonde, with sensuous lips and legs, then London’s the place for you.
But beware. All those elegant and eligible young bachelors, once you marry them, will insist that you hang up your topless dress (how does one hang up a topless dress?) and make you concede that you are not their equal.
So, at least, an opinion poll carried out for a London advertising agency suggests. The agency numbers among its clients a boutique that attracts Lord Snowdon, Liberace, the Rolling Stones and Joe Bloggs from East Cheam. It had the poll taken outside several stores.
Whether it was at the costly Harrods or in Oxford Street, in the glossy Bond Street or in Regent Street, the different financial and social levels of the 200 males questioned made little difference.
From the age of 16 to the age of 25, 74 per cent still want blondes. Only 12 per cent for redheads. Which leave 14 per cent for all the rest of you.
They also go for lips as the most sensual facial feature, and (surely misled by the fashion?) for legs as the most sensual part of the body.
But before any girl dashes to her mirror, or to the Aer Lingus office, consider some of the other opinions.
Only 22 per cent would let their wives out alone one night a week. Only 12 per cent would let her wear a topless dress in public.
Only (only!) 2 per cent would let her appear naked in public.
Does this seem dull? Then take heart – their hearts at least are in the right places.
Nearly all of them hope to marry. And have children. And buy a house. But don’t imagine that even one would let you take charge of his wages.
Or invite your mother to stay with you regularly.
Such views make them appear rather like their fathers or grandfathers, even though they look prettier.
Also like their fathers, 62 per cent of them don’t think you should have total equality with men. Despite which, and despite their fathers, 74 per cent of them think you should concentrate on a business career and ignore the prospect of marriage.
But let the career not be politics: 98 per cent of them are against having women MPs.
And, as if you won’t notice within a couple of days living here, only 10 per cent think you more entitled than men to a seat in a crowded bus.
However stable you are to stand, you are not thought to be as emotionally stable as a man, though – and you’ll be glad to have this only canard’s neck wrung – 80 per cent think you make as good a driver.
By the way, beware of being too good at a business career, for 92 per cent of these elegant bachelors won’t consider marrying a woman who is better paid or more intelligent than themselves.
They equally ignore women married before, with children. (As to having children without being married, dismiss all that talk about the permissive society – 98 per cent said they wouldn’t dream of you if you did.)
After all this, you may think the 16 to 25-year-old London bachelor is just as priggish, just as ignorant and just as confused as any you meet in Dublin or Limerick.
They sound a bit of a bore, to me.
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