About the show
- Sex, Love and War is off air
- Remind me
This five-part series, exclusive to UKTV History, reveals how the Second World War provided a backdrop to a time of intense social change in Britain. As the country fought a long and bloody war, a sexual revolution was in its throes...
Through heart-rending revelations and intimate personal testimonies, Sex, Love And War reveals the full story of the sexual adventures of the nation during World War II.
The danger of death inspired a 'live for today' attitude and sexual liberation. Some young women experimented with different sexual partners and discovered the joy of the orgasm. 'You never knew what you were going to lose firs: your life or your virginity,' said one of the contributors to the show.
As a result taboos came crashing down. The divorce rate rose and the number of illegitimate children soared as the ever present threat of death created a more carefree attitude amongst both men and women.
The rumblings of war led to the first fumblings of youth. Young men posted overseas were like kiddies in a sweet shop when suddenly confronted with so many girls. British women attended nightly dances where, for the first time, they were able to mingle with men.
Love affairs, sexual relationships and marriages were also taking place between previously taboo partners, black and white, rich and poor, Protestant and Catholic. Even gays and lesbians defied convention to make their presence known.
Then there was the biggest taboo of all - sleeping with the enemy. Despite being banned by the military, many thousands of British troops advancing through Germany and Italy formed relationships with local girls and later married.
Sex, Love And War is awash with tragedy and heartbreak, passion and joy, and even epic love stories. But ultimately, it is an uplifting series of the sexual experiences of the generation that went to war - and brought about an important shift in our social history.
The danger of death inspired a 'live for today' attitude and sexual liberation. Some young women experimented with different sexual partners and discovered the joy of the orgasm. 'You never knew what you were going to lose firs: your life or your virginity,' said one of the contributors to the show.
As a result taboos came crashing down. The divorce rate rose and the number of illegitimate children soared as the ever present threat of death created a more carefree attitude amongst both men and women.
The rumblings of war led to the first fumblings of youth. Young men posted overseas were like kiddies in a sweet shop when suddenly confronted with so many girls. British women attended nightly dances where, for the first time, they were able to mingle with men.
Love affairs, sexual relationships and marriages were also taking place between previously taboo partners, black and white, rich and poor, Protestant and Catholic. Even gays and lesbians defied convention to make their presence known.
Then there was the biggest taboo of all - sleeping with the enemy. Despite being banned by the military, many thousands of British troops advancing through Germany and Italy formed relationships with local girls and later married.
Sex, Love And War is awash with tragedy and heartbreak, passion and joy, and even epic love stories. But ultimately, it is an uplifting series of the sexual experiences of the generation that went to war - and brought about an important shift in our social history.
Your Comments
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LouiseC72669
wrote on 14 Jul 2009 at 10:30 AM
I was watching Sex Love n War yesterday and there was a man called Larry Golding talking about an aquaintance called Nell from Bethnal Green. The lady sounded very much like my Nan. She was bombed out of her house but survived and moved to Edmonton. - Something to say? Add a comment...
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