Changing Role of Women
After completing the Grade 10 History course, we can conclude that the roles of women changed dramatically throughout the course of the 20th century. However, this change was not always welcomed with open arms. Women have evolved from housewives to "persons" to flappers to workers and finally be considered equals amongst the men in society all within the early 1900's to the late 1960's. This has continued to revolutionize towards the present.
Pre-During-Post WW1
To be able to fully understand the transformation that women have undergone, we must first go back to the early 20th century. Women at the time were considered to be house wives and stayed home to raise children. However, we learn that as World War 1 breaks out in 1914, women take on roles in labour to assist with the war effort as men are now needed overseas. Some are even sent to Europe to work as nurses. In addition to the change in jobs, women related to soldiers were granted the right to vote in 1917 by the Military Voters Act. This was passed by Robert Borden as a result of the conscription crisis that was being experienced at the time. In addition to these particular women receiving this right, the Famous Five were influential to the women's movement across Canada. They were able to get women across Canada over the age of 21 the right to vote in federal elections. However at this time, visual minorities of both sexes were still unable to vote. Additionally, the Famous Five brought the Persons case to the Supreme Court and the Privy Council to the fact that women were not considered to be "persons" in the eyes of the law. It was originally turned down by the Supreme Court but in 1929 the Privy Council, situated in London England, ruled that women were to be considered "persons" in the eyes of the law. |
Roaring Twenties and Dirty Thirties
Starting in the early 1920's women began adopting a new look and reputation in pop culture. What was considered the norm for women was no more as new styles appeared and the influence of famous women became a thing to watch. Certain women began known as flappers. These women were known to be more masculine, wearing clothes that had a box shape, cutting their hair to a bob length (pictured to the side), and began to smoke and drink. Although after World War 1, women stopped working in the male role, factory workers or labour jobs, they started working in social roles. These included working as office workers and secretaries. To aid in the transformation, women that were seen in social media portrayed characters that would work in these fields. Certain actresses in the silent film era, like Mary Pickford and Clara Bow, influenced women at this time. Mary Pickford at the time was particularly influential to Canadian women, as she was well known in the industry and was one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. This continued in the 30's as such as actresses Greta Garbo and Katharine Hepburn were seen as large celebrities when talkies emerged. Similar to men in the Great Depression, women lost their jobs. This time was very difficult for families around the world as money was tough to come across. |
World War 2
Just like World War 1, women took on roles in the labour industry, in aid of the war effort. Money was needed to finance the war overseas. The difference between the wars being that in this war, women were able to enlist in the armed forces, however were still not able to go over sees for service. They were able to drive vehicles, read maps, perform first aid, and fly planes. In addition to the job change, women and children on the home front were forced to rationalize food. When it was available, women would collect recyclables to be used in military supplies. It was evident that women could do things that men could do and the gender barrier was almost lifted. |
Post World War 2
Unlike World War 1, when men returned home from the war, women's roles in the labour forces continued. They were not so willing to give up a job. However when the baby boom started, women were once again seen as just mothers and wives and were expected to stay home and raise the children. The female baby boomers eventually grew into teenagers. The women of the time then emerged with yet another style of the decade. In the 1950's Women traded their bandana's and long coats for poodle skirts, and stylish bathing wear. Women like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, still considered to be two of the most influential women in history, soared above all else, exemplifying skills in the acting industry causing girls all over the world to look up to them. Teenagers all over the world, boys and girls, became infatuated with the beginning of Rock and Roll. New up and comer being none other than Elvis Presley, angering parents with the idea of this new music and the use of his hips, this was quite the controversy. Also, in the 1950's women gained a new right to their bodies when the birth control pill was created. This was a huge leap forward in contraceptives at the time. Similar to the Famous Five, a new wave of suffragists came along in the 1960's. These women were mostly concerned on equal pay for women and men, as well as a paid maternity leave. The fashion from the 50's to the 60's was not a dramatic change, as hair and style was similar, yet the dresses worn became more straight and box shaped. This was similar to the 1920's, except the patterns used were dramatically different. Women also started wearing cat eye glasses. These movements of the 50's and 60's were some of the most influential for women in pop culture. |
In conclusion, the definition of a women in society has truly been developed throughout the course of our learning. Fashion trends, political movements, and job opportunities occurring between 1900's and the 1960's have impacted and shaped life as a Canadian women today.
- http://davies-linguistics.byu.edu/elang495/images/1920s.jpg
- http://womenof1920s.wikispaces.com/file/view/1920s.jpg/202969614/1920s.jpg
- http://nilramjalilian.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/robert_borden.jpg
- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/KingPersons.jpg
- http://roaring20sfashion.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/flapper-girls-smoking.jpg
- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSfsbeW_5Ao/T9mteLG2KZI/AAAAAAABSk4/myRJDfZtdj8/s1600/Fabulous+Photos+of+Famous+Flappers+(13).jpg
- http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxlzsit5bx1r9ld03o1_400.jpg
- http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lif5rcC09Y1qah2gqo1_500.jpg
- http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lknfonwYFD1qzfoz1o1_500.jpg
- http://carlahoag.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/audrey-h-laughter-in-paradise.jpg
- http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkPNrVKs1_c/Tq2XsUTX6dI/AAAAAAAAEx8/l7UkJtEQmOw/s1600/skirtlengths.jpg
By: Courtney McCracken