Roles Of Women During World War II

During WWII, the women worked and demanded changes from working unions. Women were able to get maternity leave, equal pay for equal work, and childcare for when they were working. The women took over all of the jobs, even ones that were easier for the men to do, so that the men could go

On September 3rd 1939 World War II started in Europe. During World War II, more than 16 million American men served in the military. While this large portion of the population was overseas fighting for the United States, women had to do many of the jobs in America normally held by men. Women were considered vital assets to the war effort, and the American government made sure to use their skills and labor in many different areas to win the war. Women contributed to the successful war effort by working society, documenting the war effort, and supporting the soldiers.

Women only worked in their homes caring for their family’s, they never had the opportunity to work outside of their homes in places such as factories or in the government and they had no benefits within the house until the war began. The war

Prior to World War II women were seen as house wives, taking care of children and tending the gardens. Women generally accepted these roles because family was a prior economic unit. Even during World War I the contributions were housewife like, washing clothing, cooking, helping the wounded, sewing, knitting clothing, and etc. The images of women taking care of the home while men were off working were so nailed into the head that some states banned women from jobs. Once the war started to take place the war effort was so great men and women had to set aside gender roles for the sake of their countries being. Women left families, education, and other jobs to work the jobs men took on while they were off serving the country in combat, etc.

The country had no choice but to have the women in the factories. They needed their help and were not going to complain about it. They knew with extra hands that, that was going to be an easier way to win the war. The government called on to the women and without hesitation, they went. They answered to whatever work that needed to be done. They worked a 52 hour week at 68 cents per hour. They were all prepared and knew that their “summer jobs” would end soon. There work dominated their nights and days. Most of their work was outdoors as well. Even though some women would much rather be at home helping there families other ways they still managed to get their other job complete as well.

During the 1940's wartime production required more factory workers. With the majority of males being enlisted into the military and the work force depleted, minorities and women found many opportunities during the war. "For most, involvement became an adventure, a way that every citizen could feel he or she was making an important contribution to the war effort"(Duis, 20). While most women were married, they worked to keep themselves busy while the males were off at war. "Prior to the war only about one fourth of women worked outside of the home" (Bard, 173). "By 1945, women made up 36% of the nation's total workforce" (Schultz). After the war, women were advised to leave work and continue their more traditional role of wife and mother. African Americans improved their economical standing by accepting war industry positions and through their migration from the south; some became professionals and skilled workers, yet still facing harsh discrimination. There was a high commitment of immigrant workers to the war effort that participated heavily in war bond and scrap metal collection drives. Like African Americans, these immigrants were also subjected to racial prejudice. But overall, "America enjoyed full employment and a higher standard of living"

During World War II there were many job opportunities for women. The war opened new doors during a time of depression. As husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers went to fight in the war the women went to work at factories, offices, and even on military bases. These women went to work in paying jobs that were usually for men. Many women became journalists, photographers and broadcasters. They were covering the biggest story ever, the men that were at war and the women that were at home doing the man’s work. Women even joined the military. They were not put in front line positions but they did important jobs and many lost their lives. During the war it was not only the white

Although unfortunate for women, employers were able to pay lower wages and dismiss them if a man applied for the position. They also received minimal support from unions caused by concern that women would replace men in the workforce because they could be paid less. Despite being unfairly treated in the workforce, women had experienced an extent of freedom in society that would forever change how they were viewed. While men fought, women were also left with the emotional burden of waiting for their loved ones to return home, although many did not. This meant some women were left to raise and feed children as a single parent, whilst still supporting themselves. Those women’s husbands who did return, did not have it easier in any way. Predominance of men had injuries meaning women had to take care of them, whilst other men suffered depression, nightmares and trouble relating to previous civilian lives. Occasionally, this resulted in breakdown of marriage and family. In this regard, the war did not create a bright future for

Another impact WWII had on women, was that job opportunities for women increased during the war and they had a chance to prove they could work. “Women also enjoyed employment gains during the war, although many lost their jobs when the war ended.” (Danzer, 591) Women started to work at jobs, that weren’t technically jobs that women worked at the time, which allowed women to prove themselves to employers but employers still discriminated against women. After white, male soldiers came home from the war, many employers fired women and hired veterans and women were expected to go back to being

During world war two, woman were given many opportunities that they hadn’t had before. While most men were overseas fighting in the war, Women were encouraged to take up jobs that had been vacated by men. This was an unprecedented era which saw more women enter the workforce than any other time in history. Their role during the

During these times, World War I and II were current and it encouraged and gave women the opportunity to enter the workforce to support the war effort. The women loved the idea of becoming patriotic and serving their country. As the men were preparing to home from the war, many of the women left the work force so that there were jobs

Women were expected to stay at home and not work. Even after they were allowed to work, they were limited in job selection. Men were still dominating in the workforce. However, when the Selective Service Act was passed, factories had no workers to operate the machines. Women had risen, broken through the stereotype and worked in these factories, as well as, other jobs dominated by men. According to World War One, "Overall, during the war years tens of thousands of American women joined the armed forces, over one million worked for wages in industries directly related to the war effort" (Timothy C. Dowling, 295). The Selective Service Act created a situation in which it was necessary for women to work, to ensure the survival of the soldiers. Women were seen as weak, and needed protection, but thousands of women had risked their lives by joining the armed forces voluntarily and by working in factories with explosives. However, women had ultimately protected men by providing them with the means to survive in battle. By doing so, women were essential to the Allied victory in World War I. Women were brave enough to volunteer for military service, as opposed to men who had to be drafted to fight for their country, which shows who was truly more patriotic and willing to fight. The contributions women had in WWI due to the men being drafted for duty spread the belief that women are equals to men. The passing of

After getting an education as well as knowing there worth in society women knew there were more than just a wife and mother. During WWII women demonstrated their power to think in a world without men as they were off fighting the war. Women began to understand that they had more to offer the world other than housekeeping and raising children. In addition, many women wanted to continue working after the war as they had held jobs with responsibilities as well as earning wages. Furthermore, women were the ones making financial decisions as well as working in positions with higher responsibilities. Many women as well as minorities were simply casted a side to make room for the returning solders. This created a silent discontent among women

Despite the different time periods, there are several similarities in how both World War I and World War II impacted women in the workplace. At the start of each war, millions of young men left their jobs, homes, and families to serve their country in the war, leaving thousands of employment positions needing to be filled. However, employers did not immediately turn to women to fill those roles. Not only were employers hesitant to hire them until it was absolutely necessary, but male workers did not quite know how to handle women as their new coworkers. According to Carrie Brown, “men disliked having their domain invaded by women. They didn’t know how to treat women in the workplace, and they didn’t want to learn” (127). Men accused women workers of stealing jobs from men, whose rightful place was in the workforce, and many even held the belief that women were lowering the wages earned. Despite these discriminations, employers did eventually hire women, and as a result, women had the opportunity to complete jobs that were normally done by men. Once women were able to overcome the

Then came WWII, which forced many women into the work force to fill wage-earning gaps (Radek, 2001). According to Cavanaugh (2014), it was seen to be women’s ‘patriotic duty’ to begin in the workforce and fill traditionally male roles, while the men were