Change In Lives Of Women 1918-79 Flashcards
(93 cards)
What did the Representation of the People Act of 1918 achieve for women?
Gave women aged 30 and over the right to vote
This was a significant milestone in the suffrage movement in the UK.
Who was the first woman elected to parliament?
Constance Markievicz
She was elected in 1918.
What significant development occurred in 1921 related to family planning?
First Marie Stopes family-planning clinics opened
This marked an important step in women’s reproductive rights.
What did the Bastardy Act of 1923 accomplish?
Increased maintenance payments to single mothers
This law aimed to provide better financial support for single-parent families.
What change did the Matrimonial Causes Act of 1937 allow for women?
Women could obtain divorce for husband’s desertion or insanity
This law expanded the grounds for divorce available to women.
What year saw the introduction of universal suffrage for men and women?
1928
This act allowed all adults aged 21 and over to vote on equal terms.
What was a significant barrier to women’s employment after leaving school?
Glass ceilings in employment
Despite equal access to education, women faced limitations in career advancement.
What was the impact of the two world wars on women’s employment?
Promoted greater female employment, mostly part-time or lower paid
Economic changes during the wars led to more women entering the workforce.
What did the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act of 1919 allow women to do?
Be jurors, magistrates, barristers, high-ranking civil servants, and graduate from Oxford and Cambridge
This act aimed to remove legal barriers for women in professional fields.
What financial support was introduced by the Family Allowance Act of 1945?
Grants for children
This was part of broader social welfare reforms post-World War II.
What significant product was made available to women in 1961?
Contraceptive pill
This was a landmark development in women’s reproductive health and autonomy.
Fill in the blank: The _______ Act of 1925 gave mothers the same custody rights as fathers.
Guardianship of Infants
This law aimed to ensure equal parental rights.
True or False: Women in 1979 had less independence and choice compared to their mothers and grandmothers.
False
Women in 1979 enjoyed far more choice and independence.
What issue served as a brake on the advancement of female freedoms?
Financial security
Lack of financial independence was a significant barrier to women’s progress.
In which decade did governments begin to address unequal pay and sexual discrimination in the workplace?
1970s
This was part of a broader movement towards women’s rights during this period.
What was the significance of the right to vote for women in Britain?
The right to vote was seen by campaigners as a fundamental right and an essential stepping stone to further progress in the quality of women’s lives.
What did the National Union of Women Suffrage Societies change its name to?
It changed its name to the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship (NUSEC) to reflect the new focus of their campaign.
What event took place on 3 July 1926?
3,500 women gathered in Hyde Park for an equal rights procession and demonstration.
When did women over the age of 21 gain the right to vote on the same basis as men?
From 2 July 1928.
How many women stood as parliamentary candidates in 1918?
Only 17 women stood as parliamentary candidates.
Who was the only woman elected as a parliamentary candidate in 1918?
Countess Constance Markievicz, who refused to take her seat in the Commons.
What was the percentage of female MPs in the House of Commons between 1922 and 1935?
The number of female MPs remained low, with only 5 in 1922 and 8 in 1923.
What was a major obstacle for women in political advancement after gaining the vote?
The structure and attitudes of the main parties, which were biased against female politicians.
What did Eleanor Rathbone advocate for?
She argued for the equal valuation of different gender roles rather than equal roles and responsibilities with men.