How did the perception of women change in WW2
How was the perception of women changed throughout the Second World War?
World War Two (WW2) broke out in 1939 and would have great effect on the Australian Home Front. The impact was particularly felt by women and their role in society changed to a significant extent. These changes are clearly evident from many factors that took place during the course of the war although, the most significant changes were due to the introduction of women to the predominantly male orientated workforce, fashion change and restrictions and the ‘friendly invasion’ of the American troops. Through identifying these changes it is clear to see how the role and perception of Australian women was completely changed.
Women in the workforce are commonly seen however before the Second World War it was not this way. Before the outbreak of World War Two almost every women's job consisted of looking after the house and children and occasionally working as a domestic cleaner. With the manpower shortage being developed, women needed to take on the roles traditionally preserved for men. Educator Dr Johnston stated that “ War resulted in unexpected involvement by women in military, industrial, agricultural and voluntary organizations”(2006,p.27). Professor of Modern History Cameron expands on this by stating “ After war was declared, the government called on women not in jobs to join the workforce so men could be released to join the armed forced”(2000,p.120). As the war progressed the jobs that women were required to fill became more and more male preserved. Cameron also states “At first women were encouraged into lowly payed jobs categorized as ‘women’s’ jobs orientated with clothing, food factories or hospital works, as the war progressed women were encouraged into jobs seen as ‘mens’ jobs consisting of tram conducting, driving taxis and delivery vans”(2000,p.120). Throughout the progression of the war, joining the male orientated workforce was not all that women were encouraged into.
World War Two (WW2) broke out in 1939 and would have great effect on the Australian Home Front. The impact was particularly felt by women and their role in society changed to a significant extent. These changes are clearly evident from many factors that took place during the course of the war although, the most significant changes were due to the introduction of women to the predominantly male orientated workforce, fashion change and restrictions and the ‘friendly invasion’ of the American troops. Through identifying these changes it is clear to see how the role and perception of Australian women was completely changed.
Women in the workforce are commonly seen however before the Second World War it was not this way. Before the outbreak of World War Two almost every women's job consisted of looking after the house and children and occasionally working as a domestic cleaner. With the manpower shortage being developed, women needed to take on the roles traditionally preserved for men. Educator Dr Johnston stated that “ War resulted in unexpected involvement by women in military, industrial, agricultural and voluntary organizations”(2006,p.27). Professor of Modern History Cameron expands on this by stating “ After war was declared, the government called on women not in jobs to join the workforce so men could be released to join the armed forced”(2000,p.120). As the war progressed the jobs that women were required to fill became more and more male preserved. Cameron also states “At first women were encouraged into lowly payed jobs categorized as ‘women’s’ jobs orientated with clothing, food factories or hospital works, as the war progressed women were encouraged into jobs seen as ‘mens’ jobs consisting of tram conducting, driving taxis and delivery vans”(2000,p.120). Throughout the progression of the war, joining the male orientated workforce was not all that women were encouraged into.
Bibliography: Cameron. K (2000) Investigating Australia’s 20th Century History, Thompson nelson publishing, Southbank Victoria (19/08/13) Connors Johnston. M (2006) Australia’s Home Defence 1939-1945, Department of veterans affairs, Canberra (31/07/13) Lewis Olds. L (2001) WWII and Fashion: The Birth Of The New Look, Constructing the past, Volume 2 (05/08/13) Rationing of Food and Clothing in the Second World War