Australian Women In Ww2 Analysis

Throughout the First World War, and World War Two, the involvement of women was closely associated to the role they played in society at the time. As their role in society changed over the time spanning the two wars, so did their methods of contribution. The First World War saw the efforts of women based largely on the home front, in keeping with society's ideal of a mother and housewife being the primary role of a woman. The contributions of the women to the war effort lay mostly in volunteer work and nursing work. However, as time passed and the role of women in Australian society changed, and the ideals of women changed, it is clear to see a significant change in the contributions by Australian women to the war effort. In the Second World War, whilst many still cared for the home front, there was a clear rise in active military involvement from Australian women, with their responsibilities and contributions extending beyond volunteering and nursing. However, this change resulted in some heavy tensions across Australia, both from a societal viewpoint, as well as tensions generated when the Australian …show more content…
Some took on clerical or administration jobs, as well as jobs in grocery stores or florists. This did not change when the First World War broke out, despite the withdrawal of approximately half a million men from the workforce. Women’s contribution to the workforce rose only 13% from 1914 to 1918, with the increase tending to be concentrated in areas of work traditionally undertaken by women already, such as clothing, clerical and teaching. However, this may have been in part, the reluctance of unions to hire women in traditionally male work areas, as this would result in company owners growing used to paying less in wages for women, and ultimately not wanting the returned soldiers to take their work back up on return