In the modern world, women’s aspirations and activities are accepted in almost all significant fields. This change has not, however been an easy task but a result of the continued fight for recognition in society. Indeed, women have fought for their position in society by exploiting their rights and eventually gaining a recognized place in the community. Way before the 20^th century, the woman’s role was strictly determined by the male dominated society and restricted to activities that men could not perform[1]. In truth, this period served as one that marked female dependence with the women facing difficulties in attaining social equality. As the world approached the 20^th century however, women’s role changed to reflect the feminine ideal of the society. Following numerous struggles, women’s role in society changed drastically in this period reflecting increased recognition in communities. In addition, the demanding nature of World War II demanded that women partake in roles they had never done before. Ultimately, the World War II had significant influence on the changing roles of women witnessed in the 20^th century.

In the world’s history, no area has ever witnessed such drastic changes as the role of women did during and after the World War II. The changes in both economic and social roles of women at the time were seen as a desperate attempt by the society to redeem it following the occupation of most men in the war. Women were thus called upon to fill the shoes left behind by their male counterparts in building the world[2]. Before the 20^th century, the world did not permit wives to work outside their homes if their husbands were employed. The role of women was restricted to that of taking care of children and the home in general. Schools across the world suspended women from employment on the basis of their being married. At some point, women were labeled enemies for taking up jobs meant for other men in the society. However, following the events of the world war, the world’s view on women in employment suddenly changed. In the subsequent period, women were seen as a secret weapon of development and a key to the fight against fascism. The role of women immediately changed from that of home caretakers to a more engaging role in society building[3]. Women were now enjoined in the workplaces to work alongside fellow men that had declared them enemies of progress years before.

Although the behavioral changes that occurred during the war were considered temporary, they laid the foundation for the changing roles of women in society. In fact, some scholars have argued that the changes reverted back to normal with the return of the soldiers from the war. Nonetheless, the effects of the world war provided impetus for the imminent recognition of women’s contribution to the society. In essence, the war provided an opportunity for the women to work in industries they never worked before[4]. For instance, the period after the world war witnessed an improvement in the number of females employed in airplane factories from 143 to 65000 women. Ideally, the calling up of men to war resulted in women taking up their places in offices and assembly points. In fact, the period between 1941 and 1950 saw a drastic increase in women’s employment by more than seven million representing a 60% change. In addition, there were also changes in the remuneration of women as their ages were increased to reflect the needs of the society. Ultimately, these changes brought by the World War II prompted women to fight for changes in their gender roles.

Perhaps the most visible change focused on the identity of women that went to work and the changing concepts of women in workplaces. Before, only unmarried, young and single women were engaged in the workplace with a majority of these coming from poor backgrounds. Female workers had to forego marriages as the two occupations were deemed incompatible. In essence, the society considered marriage as an occupation for women such that they had to commit to the homes full time. Therefore, most women did work for some time in their life but forfeited their jobs after getting married. However, the effects of the war changed this concept to reflect women in middle ages that were married. Some of these women also came from middle income backgrounds changing the historical view of women workers being from poor backgrounds. In fact, about 75% of the new women workers after the World War II were married with sixty percent of these women being slightly older than thirty five years[5]. Most of these women also listed themselves as having been former housewives heralding permanent change in the role of women. Consequently, most of these women would not have worked in these industries if not for the effects of World War II. Even those that had worked earlier in their teens appreciated the role of the war in shaping their gender roles afresh.

Still, the roles of women in the political and social arenas changed significantly during the 20^th century and in part due to the Second World War. In the preceding centuries, women were restricted from voting or engaging in political activities across the world. The role of deciding the political fate of the society was solely the responsibility of men with women taking care of the homes and kitchens. However, the looming war motivated the society to grant women the rights to vote. Perhaps, the society felt that women were necessary in deciding the political fates of different countries now that men were engaged in war. However, what was initiated as a temporary measure soon became permanent leading to the active participation of women in politics in the subsequent years. In 1918, women over thirty years of age were given the right to vote in the USA reflecting a change in world perceptions of women[6]. Although this change did not match the rights of men, it was changed ten years to include women over the age of twenty one years. Following this change, women had equal political rights as their male counterparts with regard to voting. Subsequently, Nancy Astor became the first female MP in 1919, a development that was witnessed in other regions of the world as well.

The changing roles of women were not only evident in their involvement in the workplace but also in their general treatment in the society. Across the world, women moved away from the historical perspectives of home confinement to a more vibrant approach. In preceding years, women were restricted in their movement and were not even seen in public often. However, the entry of the 20^th century heralded a change in the perceptions of women with regard to their dressing and behavior. After the Second World War, most companies provided child care centers where women could leave their children while they were at their workplaces[7]. This development not only enabled women to partake in the societal development activities but served to change the negative roles associated with women. As a result of this change, more women were seen in public partaking in activities that were hitherto considered to be manly. For instance, women could now go to the cinemas alone and even smoke without the disapproval of men or the society. This form of freedom ushered in a change in the roles of women and their involvement in society.

Before the twentieth century, the role of women was well summarized through Queen Victoria’s assertion that women were helpmate for men. Indeed, women were considered the weaker sex and assigned different vocations and duties. The role of women in society was stereotyped to reflect informal roles that were considered unmanly. For instance, women depended on men for survival and were confined to marriages that they did not approve. However, following the twentieth century and the effects of the war, the roles of women changed to reflect a more active role in society. For instance, women could contribute to the provision of basic needs of their families and even earn income. It has been argued that the period after the Second World War witnessed a proliferation in better living standards among different families as women contributed to family incomes[8]. In fact, the retrenchment of women after the end of the war resulted in lower family incomes across the world.

The role of women further extended in the literary world where they were actively involved in shaping knowledge acquisition. Before the 20^th century, women were confined to such jobs as taking of the children in a domestic realm. The main activity for women of this period was to get married and cater for their children and husbands. In addition, education access was restricted for women as it was considered a world of men. The attainment of knowledge and intellect was perceived to be too challenging to be granted to women during this period. However, following the ushering in of the 20^th century, women began to partake in knowledge sharing[9]. Women started publishing books and materials that called for the liberation of women including their gender roles.

The twentieth century marked a significant period in shaping the direction of women roles in the society. In particular their roles in economic, social and political development became more pronounced following the demands of the Second World War. Perceptions of women being home care takers and helpers of their husbands were quashed by a new generation of women that dared to take on jobs that were considered manly. The result saw an increase in the number of employed women as well as the increase in their remuneration[10]. Although the effects of the Second World War were temporary and not fully effective, they laid the foundation for a change in the roles of women in society.

Bibliography

Goldin, Claudia D. “The role of World War II in the rise of women’s employment.” The American Economic Review (1991): 741-756.

Chafe, William H., and William Henry Chafe. The paradox of change: American women in the 20th century. Oxford University Press on Demand, 1992.

Domenico, Desirae M., and Karen H. Jones. “Career Aspirations of Women in the 20th Century.” Journal of career and technical education 22, no. 2 (2006): n2.

Schneider, Dorothy, Carl J. Schneider, Hilarie Staton, Milton Meltzer, Gretchen Woelfle, and Upton Sinclair. American Women in the Progressive Era. New York: Facts on File, 1993.

Thornton, Arland, and Deborah Freedman. “The changing American family.” Population Bulletin 38, no. 4 (1983): 1-44.

Weiner, Lynn Y. “From working girl to working mother: the female labor force in the United States 1820-1980.” (1985).

Freedman, Estelle B. “The new woman: Changing views of women in the 1920s.” The Journal of American History 61, no. 2 (1974): 372-393.

Summerfield, Penny. Women workers in the Second World War: production and patriarchy in conflict. Routledge, 2013.

[1] Thornton, Arland, and Deborah Freedman. “The changing American family.” Population Bulletin 38, no. 4 (1983): 1-44.

[2] Goldin, Claudia D. “The role of World War II in the rise of women’s employment.” The American Economic Review (1991): 741-756.

[3] Thornton, Arland, and Deborah Freedman. “The changing American family.” Population Bulletin 38, no. 4 (1983): 1-44.

[4] Chafe, William H., and William Henry Chafe. The paradox of change: American women in the 20th century. Oxford University Press on Demand, 1992.

[5] Goldin, Claudia D. “The role of World War II in the rise of women’s employment.” The American Economic Review (1991): 741-756.

[6] Freedman, Estelle B. “The new woman: Changing views of women in the 1920s.” The Journal of American History 61, no. 2 (1974): 372-393.

[7] Domenico, Desirae M., and Karen H. Jones. “Career Aspirations of Women in the 20th Century.” Journal of career and technical education 22, no. 2 (2006): n2

[8] Goldin, Claudia D. “The role of World War II in the rise of women’s employment.” The American Economic Review (1991): 741-756.

[9] Schneider, Dorothy, Carl J. Schneider, Hilarie Staton, Milton Meltzer, Gretchen Woelfle, and Upton Sinclair. American Women in the Progressive Era. New York: Facts on File, 1993.

[10] Weiner, Lynn Y. “From working girl to working mother: the female labor force in the United States 1820-1980.” (1985).

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