World War 2 Working Women Essay

Superior Essays
Women were limited. A woman 's primary role was considered in the home. This was eminently believed, but World War II changed that. Working women were uncommon and were a threat for white males who worked in the same industry as they did. World War I was an opportunity for women to have “their foot inside the door and demonstrate [their abilities to get the job done]” (Dubois and Dumenil 516). That lasted for some time, and many returned to their societal views of a woman’s role as a housewife. In contrast, they proved that females are as capable as men to lead the economy of the country, and capable of handling a “man’s job” wholly. World War II brought extravagant opportunities. An excessive amount of women enrolled in jobs, as well joined the military. World War II did not instantly diminish the macho mind of a woman’s place in home or of work; however, the war effort expanded females participation in the work force, military, …show more content…
Women proved that one does need to be masculine to perform heavy duty jobs like welding. Women did not want their femininity to be undermined, because they worked at jobs that was overpopulated by men (Dubois and Dumenil 2016, 526). Rosie the Riveter represented the whole abstract of feminism,and a hard worker, and that she could be both (Dubois and Dumenil 2016, 526). The war brought independence. All women, married or single, who worked in war jobs or industries had a taste of it. Beatrice Morales, a married Mexican American, claimed because of working she felt like she could do what she wanted because it was her money that she deservedly earned (Dubois and Dumenil 2016, 529). African American women proved to industries that they too are just as hard of worker as white women. Japanese American women brought the power of unity in the internment camps, and a great amount went on to college. Women planted a seed for future generations to come and prove to the world they are just as

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    1945-1980 Dbq Essay

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This further widened the gap between women and men in areas regarding education and employment. Women used several symbols to describe their never-ending strength such as “Rosie the Riveter”. This symbol described American women’s patriotism for their country. The public sectors of their workforce began to expand enormously and women working weren’t only limited to preferences of being single. Married women were thus needed to take part in occupations such as teaching, office work, and…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Women's Role In Ww2

    • 1386 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Throughout history, the male has been the most dominant figure living on planet Earth. Difficult tasks and jobs have been given to men, and women were given simpler, less demanding jobs. Women often were thought of as weak and fragile so they could not do the tasks of men; who were pictured as muscular and intelligent. Women were not given equal rights to men but in World War I and World War II, the government and society ran into a problem, and women were able to prove themselves as strong, unique, and skilled. As soldiers went to fight for their nations in World War I and II, women were left with the responsibility of replacing men in factories and on farms, which resulted in them becoming huge contributors and obtaining more independence.…

    • 1386 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to the article, “Roles for Women in WW2”, states that, “At first the government politely discouraged those women who wanted to perform some kind of military service.” The women of this workforce war era drastically changed the pathway for future women to come as well as in the…

    • 1910 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Women In Ww2

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages

    US Women World War II changed the lives of women in the United States because women had to do heavy duty jobs just to feed and support their children, while their husbands were at war. Many men didn’t think that women weren’t important during the war because men were the always the ones that did the work. The truth is that women were a very important part of the war. Since the men were busy serving at the war, the woman had to fill in for their husbands or even friends. These jobs include operating hydraulic presses, help make ships for the war, produce aircrafts, ammunition, weapons and other things for the war.…

    • 285 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Believing that they are equals of men, women also engaged in fighting for improved civil rights, particularly suffrage (Shopgirls). In short, work opened a new way of thinking, living, and acting that empowered once-marginalized…

    • 594 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Starting December, 1941, the United States entered a global affair otherwise known as World War II. This war forced every capable individual of stepping up to the plate, and doing what the country needed at the time. Not only did men get sent overseas, women did too by finding themselves in Europe and numerous Pacific Islands. Besides women taking part in the war eastward, they had a duty to help on American soil. Although this was unprecedented, at least to this extent, women knew they needed to help the United States in its quest to win the war, and protect the world from fascism.…

    • 1851 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Many women, including wealthier members of society, joined the workforce during the war to support their country and fill the holes that men left.…

    • 1738 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Women Not Treated Equally: When United States entered the World War II, men were required to join the military, and which made the women to enter the workforce. Women earned less money than men for doing the same job. Women were able to perform the jobs that men did, but they were still seen as typical housewives. The role of the women played at the home front was imperative, but they didn’t get any credit for what…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Gender Roles During WWII

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages

    There was a drastic shift in the normative gender roles, as before the war; women were largely restricted to the private domain and jobs were only reserved for men. The need for workers during and after the WWII started a discourse that continues until present day. Women made this possible through entering the labor force, serving in the military and many more. Women were recruited out of necessity during the 1940s; it was not only acceptable, but also encouraged them to leave their homes to play a much more important role in the economy for the country. Between 1940 and 1945, the female labor force made up more than one third of the US civilian labor.…

    • 985 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Women In Early America

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Factories that had produced arms and munitions saw women working to fill those positions. Women learned many new skills. They were becoming independent in the knowledge that they could handle both household duties and still be able to support their families and in turn support the country. After WWI, some women returned to their place in…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Progressive Family

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The 20th century marked a time of advancements. It is known as the Progressive Era. By this time not only was the nation changing, but so was the life of families. Family life drastically changed in the twentieth century. The traditional morals, values, and roles that families cherished all the decades before were beginning to vanish.…

    • 619 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    On July 28th, 1914 was when the First World War happened, which occurred in central Europe. WW1 and WW2 had a huge impact on women’s life and from the start made significant changes to women’s life. Women played a huge role in changing their contribution to Canadian society. Prior to the WW1 women had very few rights and were overruled by the men of the country. Although, as the years go by things began to change slowly but surely for women, changing for the better.…

    • 1451 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Women's Role In Ww2 Essay

    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Just a few years after the last global conflict, the Second World War began. World War II was the most deadly and most widespread war in history. World War II was the most significant period of the 20th century. It brought about major leaps in technology and increased groundwork which permitted post-war social changes. WWII also made changes in the civil rights movemen, and the modern women’s rights movement, and also the programs for exploring outer space.…

    • 1421 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    During the War, women began working industrial jobs, filling the spots left empty by those who went off to war. Though they faced prejudice from their male co-workers, their experience was overall positive (221). Equality in the work place was far from achieved. After World War II, many women continued the role of the traditional housewife. . Life magazine wrote an article “Busy Wife’s Achievements”.…

    • 1326 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Women of Canada and Britain played a very important part in World War 1 and 2. They had to take over many jobs that men had to leave in order to go fight in the war. Women were very eager to join the army and serve their country but propaganda from the government made the difference in how many women joined. Women back home wanted a heroine role during World War 2 and working for the army was an excellent way to meet that goal. The poster I chose has the caption “they serve – that men can fly.”…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays