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the changeing role of women in the first world war
the changeing role of women in the first world war
world war i and women
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Feminism, the term that was brought into the political light, before the first World War, expressing both the traditional and modern desires of women: the right to vote and an improvement on their economic opportunities, and reproductive choices. Women, had been placed in a society were they played the role of being a servant to their husbands, holding no freedom. Charlotte Perkins Gilman had written Women and Economics, discusses the increasing number of younger women who desired a career, showing the change of both economic and family life. She argued that women had felt oppressed by being a housewife and that they were unproductive. By subjecting women to gender norms, they have a limited ability to contribute to society and enjoy their …show more content…
The wives would suffer the most, because the husband and child would receive the limited amount of food. The women would eat the least, had inadequate clothing, and worked all hours, even in the factory to contribute to their husbands’ income. The husband had working hours that were restricted by law and workers unions, while the wife had to work countless hours. Women did not have the same privilege men had: a law protecting women from being overworked. Women were being overworked and …show more content…
While the husbands were in college, getting educated, college, women increased the birthing rate to five (5) to six (6) children. The women no longer worried about their careers, but focused on motherhood. Women were equals to their husbands and they found their place, being a housewife, being so proud of it to place it as their occupation. Women, all over the world, had thought that the suburban life was the dream life. The problem that had no name, was that women did not want to be housewives anymore because they felt empty being a wife and mother, they wanted something more, a
Society looks down on women when they don’t uphold to what they normally do. Furthermore, she talks about how men are not seen equally and there only social role is to work and come home and do nothing. In my opinion I realize that these social roles have changed for the better. Now both men and women are helping out with household work which I think would be less stress and work on women.
Women were not only separated by class, but also by their gender. No woman was equal to a man and didn’t matter how rich or poor they were. They were not equal to men. Women couldn’t vote own business or property and were not allowed to have custody of their children unless they had permission from their husband first. Women’s roles changed instantly because of the war. They had to pick up all the jobs that the men had no choice but to leave behind. They were expected to work and take care of their homes and children as well. Working outside the home was a challenge for these women even though the women probably appreciated being able to provide for their families. “They faced shortages of basic goods, lack of childcare and medical care, little training, and resistance from men who felt they should stay home.” (p 434)
“Gilman railed against the condition of women who were regulated to a life of confining costume and care for child and home”(Article 2). Women felt they were capable of working jobs that were often labeled as a “man’s job”. “Gilman introduced her readers to a country of women who work cooperatively”(Article 2). Gilman did a lot to be involved in the Suffrage Act. She spoke at the 1896 convention of the Women’s Suffrage Association, she also wrote a wide variety of writings, from poems to lectures, political essays and novels. Her most famous work “The Yellow Wallpaper” published in 1892 and Womens Economics in 1898. “She envisioned a world in which women were free from the drudgery of cooking and cleaning and could engage in intellectual pursuits- a world in which women threw off their corsets and breathed freely”(article 2). There were many risks starting this movement, men weren’t used to women speaking out or even having an opinion. Many people disagreed with their statements, wanting life to be the way it always is, men being the “breadwinners” of the household. Women were often arrested for going against the social norm. Women decided this needed to change, after all they are people therefore they should have the same
Man hating and unhygienic are the words typically used to describe a modern-day feminist, but the words that should be used are passionate and righteous. Incomprehension of the meaning of feminism leads to a lack of necessary female empowerment. Feminism, by definition, is the belief in social, political, and economic equality of the sexes (Issitt). When women participate in feminism, instead of working against it, they can tackle the everyday issues that try to silence women in society. Women were finally given the right to vote in 1919 and have gained more prominence in society today. Though, they still face many issues and many walls that have to be broken down before they can be given the equal life opportunities that men are granted at birth (Lee). Feminism is still prerequisite in the world today to battle against the iniquity in financial, social, and political aspects so gender equality can be achieved.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman's unusual views of women's abilities and her demands for political, economic, and social reform of gender bias shook the foundations of American society in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. She expressed her views through her writings, both fiction and non-fiction, and also lectured throughout the United States. Although in recent times she is best recognized for her short story "The Yellow Wallpaper," during her lifetime Gilman was best known for her remarkable book “Women and Economics”, which was published in 1898 and received international acclaim.
During the Great War and the huge amount of men that were deployed created the need to employ women in hospitals, factories, and offices. When the war ended the women would return home or do more traditional jobs such as teaching or shop work. “Also in the 1920s the number of women working raised by fifty percent.” They usually didn’t work if they were married because they were still sticking to the role of being stay at home moms while the husband worked and took care of the family financially. But among the single women there was a huge increase in employment. “Women were still not getting payed near as equally as men and were expected to quit their jobs if they married or pregnant.” Although women were still not getting payed as equally it was still a huge change for the women's
Contention (Paragraph 2): Media during the 1950’s played a huge role in depicting women as housewives and preventing them from achieving the American Dream. It slowly started to open up opportunities for the women at the end of the 1960’s.
Feminism, in its simplest definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. (Webster) Feminists fight for equality for women to men socially, politically, and economically. At the peak of feminist discourse is equality for men and women in education and in employment. However, feminism also focuses on more than issues regarding the rights of women in relation to men. Issues of gender equality and women’s right to control their sexuality are also at the core of feminist theory. A key argument made by many feminists is how women have very little control over their sexuality, mainly being defined and controlled by men. T...
Charlotte Perkins Gilman wrote for and spoke to an audience throughout the United States during the Progressive Era where changes were occurring due to industrialization. In “Women and Economics”, Gilman, described the constraints American women faced for economic freedom. Gilman began her analysis by exploring in depth the values of a wife/women, and the restrictions on women’s work within the capitalist economy. She considered the loss of individuality and societal productivity the cause to restrictions of a wife/women’s work and economic dependency on men.
...ble to see that it actually incorporates themes of women’s rights. Gilman mainly used the setting to support her themes. This short story was written in 1892, at that time, there was only one women's suffrage law. Now, because of many determinant feminists, speakers, teachers, and writers, the women’s rights movement has grown increasing large and is still in progress today. This quite recent movement took over more then a century to grant women the rights they deserve to allow them to be seen as equals to men. This story was a creative and moving way to really show how life may have been as a woman in the nineteenth century.
“Feminism”, as defined today, is “1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes,” and “2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.”2 Many critics claim that feminism has been active longer than the word itself has existed.3 The word, “feminist” was not in true use until the late 1800s and early 1900s, but activism for women’s rights was alive and well a...
Working women took jobs for various reasons. Some worked to help financially while others took jobs out of desire for a larger role in society. Women's roles in society changed, and so did their households. Some negative effects took place as a result of women working. Family members were under more stress because of the absence of the main caregiver during working hours. Children who once had their mother at home taking care of them were now being cared for by relatives or neighbors. Working women also had added pressures. Not only did they work out of their homes, but after work, they were expected to fulfill their household duties when they got home.
...the households had died in war. Other families needed both the mothers and fathers to work in order to get by. In order to survive, political changes had to have been made. Protesting and pressure lead to the reversal of many of the constricting laws recently placed. Bans were lifted off of several university fields allowing women to now pursue them. Even though the bans were lifted, and the economy was better, women still had a harder time getting employment than men.
Feminism is defined as the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. It began as an organized activity on behalf of women?s rights and interests. This concept was developed to help women earn a place in a predominantly male society. Unfortunately over the years, the intentions of feminism have become distorted, not only by anti-feminists, but also by the feminists themselves. The principle of equality for women and men has turned into a fight in which feminists wish to be better than men. Feminism has been twisted and misunderstood so much that it has become a harmful idea.
“The Satisfactions of Housewifery and Motherhood” was an interesting and informative article of what life was like when living in the shoes of a housewife in 1977. That was a time when women were going off to work in order to help support their families due to The Women’s Rights Movement. Society frowned upon those women who remained a housewife. They were viewed as blood sucking leaches living off their husbands. Terry Hekker believed that she would be one of the last housewives before their extinction. Some of the main beliefs that Ms. Hekker wanted to explain is there are misunderstandings about the role of a housewife, benefits can be gained and that the occupation of a housewife is an acceptable job for women. Terry Hekker proves that society back then left some women affected negatively by the “do-your-own-thing” philosophy. The author brought up a few arguments...