Changing Roles Of Women During The 1920s

The 1920’s which was also called the Roaring Twenties was a era of economic prosperity and dramatic social change. The 19 amendment that was ratified on August 1920 gave the right of women to vote and the impact of World War I resulted in women questioning traditional morals and values, becoming rebellious. When men left for the war it caused women to have new jobs such as working in factories. Also, “the number of women attending college rose to 10% of the population by the end of the 1920's." Due to women having the opportunity to have jobs and go to college women became more mobile. The corset limited women to be mobile in this era which caused the production of coresets to quickly decline. Less women wearing corset made their figure to be more boyish and straight. The women of this era was called the Flappers, free spirited women, representing the new change of how women looked. The Flappers “lacked hips, breasts, and a defined waist”. They would dress in dresses above their knee and ankle showing more legs and having bare arms. They would also stray away from having long hair and cut their hair into a bob to symbolize freedom and independency. As a reason of women questioning traditional values they began to drink, smoke and be more sexual in this era. The 1920’s was also the age of Jazz which influenced women to go out and dance and women having more flamboyant and exuberant moves. In the 1920’s to be equal among men they had to have a figure of men,

Women in the 1920s started to earn more respect and equality in society, mostly the right to vote. During this time, women had the opportunity to access higher education, minimum wage, better domestic living, and better healthcare. But women are still coming across challenges where they are submissive to men. Fredrick Lewis Allen introduces women as“... the guardians of morality; they were made of finer stuff than men and were expected to act accordingly” (Allen 129). Clearly, women were expected of something, but men were able to do whatever they so please to do whether it would be to hang out late at night at bars, drinking with friends, or being the one to have a house under his name and making his own money. According to Allen,

The 1920s was a period of changes exactly as the Progressive Era. Everything was developing very fast. The economic boom caused a high living standard, therefore, people earned more money and wanted to live a modern life, in view of the fact that, they could afford it, especially in the cities which offered more stores, job opportunities, and saloons and bars for entertainment. People wanted to have fun after World War I, take a rest and just hang out together, for that reason it caused a moral decline, the enormous consumption of alcohol caused a lot of crime and women had a new way of living. The two biggest changes were the rights for women and prohibition.

Now in this precise year and day, you may view women as a strong and powerful person but was it always like that? In the 1920s, was the year women finally got the right to vote after all the campaigns made and reforms performed. In all some were still housewives while some felt the need to work in order to provide money for the family or themselves. Not all were married and had a husband to provide for them. Many obstacles had to be faced in order to be where we are today. Females faced inequality with men, but that did not stop them from accomplishing what they desired. Jobs and education in the 1920s were limited to women.

The 1920’s was known as the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age and the era of wonderful nonsense. There were many changes that occurred during the 1920s. Women lives’ changed with the 19th amendment, working outside the home and fashion. Other changes were the Jazz Age and Prohibition. After World War I, Americans wanted to go “Back to Normalcy.

The 1920s were a time of change. The years that preceded were filled with new technology, inventions, and mass media. A new way of life was created. Although these advancements may seem beneficial to us, there were unforeseen consequences that affected the women of the 1920s and beyond. Popular culture in the 1920’s including movies, magazines, and advertisements transformed the way in which Americans viewed women. Some of these depictions liberated women, but they also constrained them.

Today, women have the same rights as men, but it wasn’t always that way. Women had very little rights in the 1920s. In this paper, we will look into the struggles of women, how their jobs changed from when they gained their rights, and finally we will go over some famous activists.

the 1920’s is recognized as one of the greatest decades in American history. It was a time of exciting change, filled with increased personal freedom. Items like jazz, movies, the radio, and illegal liquor became very popular during this decade, making it popularly known as the Roaring Twenties. The Roaring Twenties was a time of great political, economic, and social change, and just like every other period in American history women tend to be brushed aside in this era. Thus, most do not know that it was a great time for social and political change for American women. For one, at the beginning of the decade on August 21, 1920 the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. They had worked hard to gain the right to vote, and

Known as the weaker gender, but the more victorious one; that is how women were seen throughout history. Women had been excluded from a variety of activities and laws within the past century. Throughout history, women have fought for their rights, equal work, and an end to violence.

A woman of 1920 would be surprised to know that she would be remembered as a "new woman." Significant changes for women took place in politics, at home, in workplace, and in education.

The 1920’s is commonly referred to as a period of revived feminism. World War I gave women the opportunity to become an asset in the work world and shortly after, Congress passed the 19th amendment and women gained the right to vote. However, during this time of shorter skirts and bobbed hairstyles, women had not yet escaped gender-based prejudice. Even with more freedom, women were not yet free to use their newfound rights to their advantage. Society did not value success or intelligence in women.

Women in most countries only earn 60 to 70% of a man’s wages. Unfortunately, women in America in the 1930’s were in the same situation. Luckily, laws have been passed to regulate the wages of U.S. citizens. Harper Lee showcased the injustices of women in the 30’s in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Although the roles of women have progressed throughout time, a good portion of today’s roles are still similar to those of the 1930’s.

Throughout history, women have helped shaped social, economic and political areas of society, many woman playing their part in paving the way for the equality of future women. The 1920’s sparked major changes of a woman’s role in society and her effect on the economy and government, due to the conflict during the first world war. However, this change only applied to a minority of women being those who were white and of the middle and upper class as history changes for many but never all. In the 1920’s, women found greater independence and defied the social normalities of the past.

Change of Attitudes Toward the Role and Status of Women During the 1920's and 1930's

Women’s fashion was a social controversy in the 1920’s. This controversy was influenced by women’s clothing, swimwear, hairstyles, makeup, and attitude alone. This attire and new found character traits added a certain attitude and confidence to these women, starting what would eventually be remembered as a revolution.