Women of the Century
By Patrick Wadle hr 5
"Victorian" Woman 1837-1901
societal expectations- In the eyes of society, women were ill-equipped to meet the demands of the outside world. Getting a job or becoming politically active would only be damaging for a woman and for society at large, it was believed.
job opportunities-factory and sanitary inspectors, nurses and teachers.
educational opportunities-Up until the late 1840s women's schools were small and the academics leaned more towards the role they would eventually in the family.
appearance/fashion-bonnets replacing hats. Bell-shaped skirts known as crinolines became wider and wider, needing ever more petticoats, and even hooped supports.
activities/hobbies-middle classes, included croquet (often replaced by tennis, especially in America, during the 1870s), archery, golf, hockey, and cricket.
divorce-A man could take all of the earnings and inheritance from his wife. Divorce cases were managed by the Church of England which made divorce a formidable difficulty, unless the lady was extremely wealthy.
"1920s" Woman 1920-1929
societal expectations-A woman of 1920 would be surprised to know that she would be remembered as a “new woman.” Many changes would enter her life in the next ten years. Significant changes for women took place in politics, the home, the workplace, and in education. Some were the results of laws passed, many resulted from newly developed technologies, and all had to do with changing attitudes toward the place of women in society.
job opportunities-1920's women in the workplace included factory workers, secretaries, salesclerks and telephone operators.
educational opportunities-The number of women attending college rose to 10% of the population by the end of the 1920's.
appearance/fashion-long dresses and tight corsets,There were several different bob hair style including the 'Dutch boy' bob, the 'Marcel wave', the Castle Bob, the Eton Crop and the 'Shingle' bob.
activities/hobbies-Jazz music inspired new, crazy, flamboyant dance moves. New dances evolved, which were eagerly learnt by the young women and Flappers of the era.
divorce-Divorce was made easier in the 1920's. Women in the 1920's were not content just to stay at home and put up with bad husbands and the number of divorces doubled in America
"Post WWII" Woman 1940-1949
societal expectations-The general attitude and expectations toward women’s proper role also remained unchanged from the pre-war period. During the war, certain programs were established to help women manage their domestic responsibilities, such as day care services, so they could contribute to the war effort (Anderson). When the war ended, many of these programs were eliminated, showing the general attitude women were supposed to return to their homes, but also to their femininity (4). The high value placed on girls’ marriages conditioned them to think of marriage as their principal goal, distorting their job choices depending on the likelihood it would lead to marriage (6).
job opportunities-In the community, women raised money for war bonds, collected blood, rolled bandages, aided in civil defense, tended Victory Gardens, and hosted troops,In the home, women recycled scarce materials, dealt with the strains of rationing, raised their children, and mourned the war dead.
educational opportunities- women had the opportunity to go to school but was mostly expected to stay at home.
appearance/fashion-The trademark early ’40s look was a two-piece suit, the jacket featuring square shoulders and a fitted waist, paired with a straight skirt with a pleat or two. Another popular look was the shirtwaist dress with a minimal number of buttons, or a lightly pleated or gathered skirt, the waist defined by a narrow belt.
activities/hobbies- sewing,board games, shopping,etc
Divorce-the courts favored men in divorce cases because they had control of the money.But in states that allowed divorce women were more likely to file then a husband.
"Modern Day" Woman 2000-today
societal expectations-women are able to hold a job and take care of a family wether they are married or single.
job opportunities- all fields are open to women.
educational opportunities-any educational field is also open to women.
appearance/fashion-all apparel is open to women.
activities/hobbies-anything a men can do a women can do.
divorce- much more common and easier and not look down upon.
Citations
http://www.victoriana.com/Fashion/1920s/womens_vintage_coats.html
http://womens-fashion.lovetoknow.com/victorian-fashion-history
http://www.american-historama.org/1913-1928-ww1-prohibition-era/women-in-the-1920s.htm
https://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/partners/exhibitentrance.html
http://www.victorianweb.org/art/costume/nunn2.html
http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106392.html
http://logicmgmt.com/1876/overview/victorian_woman/victorian_woman_education.htm\
http://logicmgmt.com/1876/overview/victorian_woman/victorian_woman_employment.htm
http://classroom.synonym.com/expectations-women-victorian-society-22971.html
http://ncpedia.org/history/20th-Century/1920s-women
https://blogs.stockton.edu/womeninwwtwo/societal-expectations/