To what extent did women achieve economic rights after the Gilded Age? Flashcards
(31 cards)
What was the economic status of women in the Gilded Age? (2)
-impact of industrialisation - led to an increase of women workers -> meant that women were able to work in different industries - expanded their work
-difference between rural and urban, working and middle class -> Homestead Act encouraged them to work due to having to work the land whereas middle class women had nothing ‘pushing’ them to do work, middle class women weren’t expected to work
What economic change happened from 1865-1920? (6)
-Expansion of women in the labour force from 15% in 1870 to 24% in 1924
-Increase in female white collar workers and the professions (teaching, nursing & charity)
-Growth of women workers led to more union activity but still accounted for only 2% of membership
-More women in heavy industry & transport during WW1
-30,000 worked for the armed services
-Growth in government jobs for women: tram conductors, police
What economic continuity happened from 1865-1920? (5)
-African Americans were employed in factories or domestic service
-Perpetuated stereotypes of women’s work being linked to caring and domestic life
-WW1 didn’t bring women into the factories but numbers did increase due to wartime demand
-Post WW1 most women returned to domestic duties to make way for men
-1920s women worked due to necessity rather than for independence
What was the impact of white collar workers increasing?
-white collar workers eg teachers needed training for the role - shows more equal education
There was progress in women’s economic position 1865 - 1920 because…
Because women had greater freedom in terms of the workforce. Even though they didn’t have the same opportunities as men, their presence in the workforce increased. This would have led to women feeling more empowered for change and impact attitudes
There was progress in women’s economic position 1865 - 1920 but…
But there were still limitations for women due to stereotypes and attitudes of a ‘woman’s role’ being domestic. Even though more women were working they couldn’t have ‘men’s’ jobs and had more caring jobs such as teaching. Additionally, most of the women who worked in the 1920s often were only working due to necessity rather than for independence which shows how there wasn’t much progress
There was progress in women’s economic position 1865 - 1920 so…
So women were further limited from progress due to only working for necessity. If women were only working because they had to feed their families, it shows that if they were financially stable it would result in them not working. Even though women joined the workforce, it doesn’t show that there was progress due to the attitudes
How did WW2 impact women? (4)
-a catalyst for women working
-percentage of women working dramatically increased as a result of WW2 in 1945 onwards - significant growth
-steepest for married women and mothers - whilst single women barely change on the graph, married women and mothers significantly change
-‘By 1945 there were 5 million more women working than in 1940’
How many more women were working in 1945 than 1940?
5 million
Why was WW2 important for women?
-single most important turning point for women due to it empowering women - without this things like the vote wouldn’t have happened
What were the negative impacts of WW2 on married women? (2)
-married women had demonstrated that they could take care of the home as well as work->many were laid off to make way for returning soldiers - women were usually told they couldn’t work because they couldn’t do both but the war disproved this
-married women had demonstrated that they could take care of the home as well as work->many were laid off to make way for returning soldiers - women were usually told they couldn’t work because they couldn’t do both but the war disproved this
What was the negative impact of WW2 on married women in the media?
-the media was used extensively to remind women of their position in society and to encourage them to return to traditional roles
What was the negative impact of WW2 on married women with family issues?
-Family issues were routinely blamed on women, the divorce rate increased from 10% in 1940 to 18% in 1946. The rate of juvenile crime increased as well which was attributed to women
What positive gain did women get as a result of WW2 to do with employment?
-post-war 75% of women wanted to remain in employment - they gain independence through work
What was the positive gain of key groups as a result of WW2?
-unmarried women in service industry jobs began to increase and there were greater economic opportunities for AA women
What was the positive changes in mindset of women post WW2? (5)
-showed women could work
-women became more independent and could do skilled jobs
-1950s millions of women continued to work
-many married middle class women choose to work - worked to afford lifestyle of car, holiday, big home
-Friedan (Feminine Mystique) challenged women to question social and cultural messages
What was the negative changes in mindset of women post WW2? (3)
-government and business leaders led a campaign on radio and TV in 1940s &50s which encouraged women to return to household
-double burden - work and family life
-1980s anti-feminist backlash
What evidence is there of increased rights in the workplace post WW2? (5)
-laws against gender stereotyping and discrimination 1964
-increased TU membership activity
-opportunities in previously male dominated roles
-increasing number of women gaining higher education qualifications
-led to increased enterprise opportunities for women - not seen until 1990s
-increased number of married women in workplaces
What does laws being made against gender stereotyping and discrimination in 1964 implies about increased rights in the workplace post WW2?
implies that women’s rights were being protected and discrimination was routinely challenged
What does increased TU membership and activity suggest about increased rights in the workplace post WW2?
suggests women have become unionised and feel secure in their roles to demand improvements to working conditions and labour rights
What does opportunities in previously male-dominated roles show about increased rights in the workplace post WW2?
shows progress in women’s acceptance in the workforce
What was the impact of increasing numbers of women gaining higher education qualifications on increased rights in the workplace post WW2?
increased their ‘ability’ to work but they were still prevented from higher positions due to not being seen as capable
What was the impact of increased number of married women in workplaces post WW2?
shows how attitudes had slightly improved with how women were more welcome to work but attitudes still remained
What issues still remained post WW2? (6)
-equal opportunities but still had a significant pay gap between men
-‘glass ceiling’ despite improvements in higher education
-Federal Government refused to legislate maternity leave and childcare support
-AA and ethnic minority women were particularly at risk of poverty
-working class women were still reliant on men to provide for them
-feminist movement reliant on economic gains
