The Changing Role and Status of Women in Britain Since 1900

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The Changing Role and Status of Women in Britain Since 1900

Women failed to gain the right to vote during the early 20th century

for many reasons, despite their efforts in protest and campaign.

Demanding the women's right to vote would be defying the centuries of

tradition as they were established in society only as housekeepers,

carers and bearers of children. Their rights were severely limited-

only after 1892/3 Married Women Property Act could a married woman

keep her properties and earnings and not pass them over to their

husbands. Therefore for allowing women to have suffrage would have

been a revolutionary and controversial ideal.

However approaching the 20th Century women began to have occupations,

extending their roles as just being plain housekeepers. It became

common practice for women to pursue a career in medicine, teaching and

nursing, as more opportunities were available thanks to pioneering

figures such as Florence Nightingale. Thus, several organisations were

established involving women who wanted to have their voices heard.

National Union of Women's Suffrage in 1896 who became known as the

Suffragists and Women's Social and Political Union in 1903 established

by Emmeline Pankhurst who became known as the Suffragettes were

founded, campaigning for women's emancipation and suffrage.

To achieve suffrage was a huge challenge, especially against a

completely male government and parliament. No political party could

afford to support the women's campaign for vote. Conservatives were

against the idea and the Liberals were afraid that they would lose

their own support if they did back women's suffrage. They were also

concerned about how the women would vote if they were given the right

to, as they would likely vote for labour. The Labour party even though

they did support women, however lacked enough power and were still

unhappy that a third of the men, mostly lower and working class did

not have the vote. This was another problem for the suffragists and

the suffragettes because many thought that the third of the men should

have the right to vote before considering women's suffrage.

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