War, What Is It Good For

During World War II women's roles became much more patriotic. The tasks that used to be considered unladylike were now "patriotic duties." Women entered the work force on a massive scale, planted "victory gardens", recycled, rationed food and gas, volunteered at the Red Cross, and even joined the armed services.

As the men left to go to war, the women were left to pick up the slack. Not only was it their job to take care of their families but also to keep society moving forward in an effort to bring forth success in the war. This was often not an easy decision for women, especially mothers. They were hesitant to step into the previously male dominated industrial workforce due to their previously known social norms. The government, however, made an effort to ease the anxieties of these women through propaganda campaigns. Rosie the Riveter was a massive icon ("We can do it!"). They also produced films showing how the work they would be doing was similar to the work they were already doing in the home (ex. cutting airplane parts in analogy to cutting out a dress).    

Propaganda also wanted to make sure that women knew that their work was only temporary. Women were going to need to give these jobs back to the men when they returned home. It was made clear that women belonged at home taking care of their children. While the women were away at work they allowed family members to take care of their children. On the other hand many women did not have child-care plans in place. When the government eventually set up day-care programs for young children, they were barely about to keep up with the current demand.

( Evans, Sara M. "Women at War." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 219-241. Print.)

The Great Depression

With the crash of the stock market in 1929 came the crash of the optimism the 20's had brought around. All the hard work women put in in the 20's fell apart; flappers disappeared, and young people rethought marriage altogether. Low wages brought around unemployment for a hundred thousand workers each week. It was tough for anyone to get a job. Men felt like failures because they could not provide for their families. Some men left their homes while others turned to alcoholism and even suicide. Men were frustrated with women in the workplace because of the fact that there were limited jobs for all.

African American women were discriminated against, often finding jobs as domestic laborers but still finding that they were not being paid enough to support their families. During this time however, the idea was back to "a woman's place is in the home." Many men put the blame on women for there not being enough jobs. Someone needed to be the scapegoat in this situation and women were it.

Families grouped together to aid each other in their time of need and poverty. Women rekindled their skills in the home, helping to stretch provisions, mend clothing, and plant gardens. Charities and religious groups set up soup kitchens thanks to women workers. Many farm families were out of luck however. While urban families faced starvation, rural families were struggling to sell their good for what they were actually worth. Many switched to cash crops to make more money but ended up limiting themselves on food. They were forced to dress their children in flower sacks. Rural women showed ingenuity as well; cooking from scratch, getting water from wells, and working long hours in the fields.          

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The 1920’s was a time for pleasure, consumption, sexuality, and individualism. Women were beginning to have shorter skirts and makeup that was once associated with prostitution. The older generation was often appalled to find their young girls dressing in such manners and experimenting with their sexuality. But the media said that this was okay. Films and ads were being produced to emphasize this exciting new change in society. High schools and colleges (thanks to coeducational universities) were now the perfect environment to help foster these new courtship rituals.

With new courtship rituals came new marriage rituals. It was becoming common to marry for love and companionship. The introduction of birth control made sex an act that could be committed between two people for pleasure without the risks that came with child bearing when one was not prepared for it. Women who wanted to have sex could do it because they enjoyed it and had an emotional tie to their partner not just in the case of wanting a child. This was putting a lot more pressure on women; pressure that they never had previously put on them before. They had the most to lose. Women were expected to go after the men, seeking out economical and social securities that was brought forth with a marriage. The life of a single woman was considered "unfulfilled."

The ideals of the norm where being shifted in this time period, that is, the norms for heterosexuals. Although sexual pleasure was being separated from procreation, such relationships between women were categorized as "deviant." Lesbians did not consider themselves any different than anyone else, and now they were being placed in a group and given a title by "experts." They were forced to figure out new ways of meeting each other, be it though literature, work, or female sports. Even with the new emphasis on self expression it was difficult to accept ones self for who they are in a society where who you are is not a part of the new social norm. 

( Evans, Sara M. "A Time of Devision." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 175-196. Print.)