Gender Role Changes Post WWII
World War II provided an opportunity for women to enter into the workforce and get jobs that would typically not be open for women. They faced challenges in overcoming cultural stereotypes; there was some resistance for women to go to work in such male dominated environments. Most women started going into industrial work such as factory workers, laboratory technicians, aircraft engineers, etc. Some women were apprehensive about joining the work for, and so the creation of "Rosie the Riveter" came into light. Rosie was used as a piece of propaganda to persuade women into the work force and to become/feel as patriotic as Rosie.
After WWII ended men started to come home and were in need of jobs. Thus so, pushing women out of their "male dominated" jobs and back into either their homes or "lady basic" jobs. These jobs include things such as being a secretary, industrial designer, waitress, etc. As women were being forced out of their industrial and manufacturing jobs they were also set with new expectations to be a "homemaker". They were expected to treat their husbands like "royalty" and provide for the family by cooking, taking care of the kids, and cleaning. 
Post World War II also increased women's social pressures. Women were expected to be married by the time they are 20 years old. Most families had a husband, wife, 2-3 kids, and one pet (dog/cat). This time period is what is known as the "baby boomer"era. This is because after the war many soldiers would be so happy the war was over and would celebrate in all sorts of different ways; most common would include horizontal dancing with a significant other, hence the baby boom. Media at the time played a bug role in the way gender roles were portrayed. For example T.V. shows always showcased a man having a place outside of the home and a women being inside the home. 
The changes that gender roles have been through and continue to go through will greatly impact everyone's life. Women filled in and took a stand for themselves and the jobs they were capable of having. When their men came back they were forced to take a step back and be "homemakers". This change lead to the rise and realization of feminism. After the war was over the "baby boom" era had begin due to the celebration of the war being over. Overall we can agree that women have a place in this world and that times have changed for some women and their "homemaker" attitude.
Citation:
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-us-history/period-7/apush-us-wwii/a/american-women-and-world-war-ii
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/american-women-in-world-war-ii
Loved your blog post!! Very informative in a creative way! As you said when men came back women were sent back to their “homemaker” position. If you were a women back in this time period would you have gone back? Or would you have kept your job and continued to do what you were doing?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. If I was a women back in this time I probably would have, (unhappily) gone back to a "homemaker" position. Only because I feel like I would have been to afraid to stand up and continue to pursue what I was doing.
DeleteGreat blog post! The pictures go very well.The most interesting facts that you included was the social pressures of women post WWII. Do you agree with how women's roles were switched so drastically? Also, how would you feel if your husband treated you the way they treated their wives back when wives were seen in their "homemaker" positions.
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