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Kinder Kurch Kich Kirche: The Role Of Women In Germany

Decent Essays

During 1933 and 1945, the Third Reich was in place throughout Germany, with it being controlled by the Nazi Party. During this time, the Nazi Party introduced many new policies in an effort to make a new great Volksgemeinschaft. Whether Nazism brought a social revolution to Germany is debatable. One of the key features of Nazism was ‘Kinder Kurch Kirche’ which is translated to ‘children kitchen church’ which refines what the traditional role for women was during contemporary Western society. Women were supposed to stay at home and have more children, but really their role was set by the economic demands of the situation and was more a social reaction instead of a social revolution. The Nazi’s implemented policies for women that sought to …show more content…

Two important social changes occurred in the early 19th century, which affected the role of women in society. After World War One, Germany's birth rate had decelerated from “Over 2 million births to under 1 million” (Layton, Germany, the Third Reich). Additionally, female employment had expanded by at least one third, due to changes in industrial countries. Contraception was also common, as it “Improved standard of living,” giving women an option of an education and career along with having a family (Layton, Germany, the Third Reich). Women’s role in society changed after World War one because economic mobilisation led woman back into the factories to work. Inflation also meant from World War One, women were expected to work instead of their ‘normal’ duties. With the war over, there was a “surplus of over 1.8 million marriable women” (Layton, Germany, the Third Reich). Changing economy led the women into the factories as hard labour was in demand, with women being paid less than men. Women behaved more liberally in the Weimar, as the constitution left women in a relatively progressive power. Women could vote, which ultimately changed the way people looked at them in society. “Under the constitution, women had been given absolute equality with men” (Mason, Germany 1918-1945). Social changes after World War One, allowed women to be given freedom and role in society, with Nazi policies …show more content…

The rise in Nazi power was convoyed by a large fluctuation in employment due to economic depression after the end of World War One, and the start of World War Two. To stabilise and grow the economy, the Nazis changed their policies of women in the workplace, and women were allowed back in the workplace. Before the Nazi’s changed their policy, they thought women belonged at home with the focus on breeding genetically pure Germany babies and supporting her husband. “during the Third Reich, women were excluded from political life” with the overall result to flush women out of the workforce (Layton, Germany, the Third Reich). Overturned, the effects of the war and economic depression, increased demand for employment was required and female employment expanded, “by at least a third” (Layton, Germany, the Third Reich). The Nazis were simultaneously encouraging the idea of motherhood, and the ideal German woman, while encouraging the filling of jobs to support the war effort. Nazi policies towards women was a revolutionary solution to the economic downfall in the result of the Great

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