Women During World War Two

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Prof. Holcman AMH2020 5 November 2012 Women during World War Two People often say that "behind every great man is a great woman (Franklin)." This has been proven correct throughout history many times especially during the period of World War Two. Many do believe that it was only the men who fought and did all the work but it was really the women who contributed a big part in the survival of the United States of America. The year was 1942, the men had left to war, leaving the women at home with more responsibility then they ever bargained for. American women had been left with duties that they knew must be done. These brave women at this time did these duties without question or denial they knew what had to be done and how it must be done.…show more content…
If women did have jobs, it would be limited to a maid, a nurse or a teacher. Most of these women working before World War Two were mostly not married. In this time, they didn’t have a husband or children so they needed to support themselves by going to work. Women took these jobs because men said it was easier and they have experience with cleaning and cooking. They were maids because like in their homes, they either cleaned up for themselves or for their children. Women are also known for being very caring; this was a hint on why women were nurses. Another women job was a teacher. Why? Because being a teacher was to be with children and teach them what was right and wrong, just like mothers. In this period, men didn’t think for one second to be a maid, nurse or teacher, because they were meant for women to do and they were too manly for those jobs. Before the war employers didn’t hire women because they believed they were jobs assigned for men (nps.gov). Most women gave up work when they married, though some women kept working after marriage because they couldn't afford to give up their jobs. Working after marriage was generally something done mainly by poor women. There were some married career women, but generally having to work and look after a home and family was not considered mostly desirable. When Roosevelt decided to go to war, most of the men joined the war to defend for their country. During this time, women were encouraged to join the workforce in order to help their men get supplies. Some employers, however, rejected women because the jobs were previously assigned to men (Bogan). Women are usually considered as fragile and sensitive so why would they give a masculine job to women? Women also got lower pay because of their gender. According to History.com, “Between 1940
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