Introduction
Women have faced many sorts of oppression and prejudice throughout history. The Roaring Twenties depicted remarkable shifts in career prospects and societal expectations for women during the years to and following World War I (Johnson 2). The expanded number of job options opened to women was one of the most noticeable shifts during this period.
Before WWI, most employment was allocated to men, with women supposed to stay at home and do domestic responsibilities. This change created new opportunities for females regarding career prospects and financial independence. Along with obtaining economic freedom came a loosening of social and cultural expectations. Women continued to face discrimination in areas such as politics and education. American women experienced notable changes before and after World War I; they evolved from being restricted by societal norms to becoming empowered members of society who could make their own choices about their careers and lifestyles.
Employment Opportunities
When examining the evolution of American women’s lives and roles from pre-World War I to the Roaring Twenties, it is impossible to ignore the significant changes in employment opportunities. Before World War I, women’s work was primarily limited to domestic labor or low-paying jobs in factories or mills (Johnson 3). However, as men fought in the War, women were given new opportunities to enter the workforce and prove their capabilities.
During the War, women performed tasks that had traditionally been designated for men. They served in the military as nurses and clerks but worked in factories and other businesses. Many women gained new confidence and independence due to this experience, which they took into postwar society.
Many females continued to work outside the house in the years following World War I (Johnson 6). They found jobs in education, social service, and clerical labor. Women’s white-collar employment increased throughout the 1920s, as did their professional options. Women went on to become attorneys, physicians, and company owners.
Furthermore, even as more women entered some fields, many remained male-dominated. Women who chose occupations outside of typical gender norms received widespread condemnation. Despite these obstacles, American women continued to strive for greater equality in all aspects of life, including work prospects, during this period.
It is crucial to emphasize that, owing to race or socioeconomic class prejudice, not all American females had access to these new work options during this century (Johnson 5). Black Americans suffered severe discrimination in society and inside organizations such as unions, making it difficult, if not impossible, to access many of these new career possibilities. Expanding employment opportunities for women during this period was a significant step towards greater gender equality. Women were able to gain economic independence and prove their worth in a variety of industries. While there were still challenges to overcome, the 1920s marked a turning point in American history when women began to be seen as more than just homemakers and birth givers.
From pre-World War I through the Roaring Twenties, the growth of American women’s lives and responsibilities profoundly influenced women’s job options. While gender, racial, and socioeconomic status discrimination persisted throughout this period, many women discovered new vocations and careers that allowed them to acquire economic independence and demonstrate their ability outside of traditional female roles (Johnson 7). The advances during this period paved the way for future generations of American women to continue fighting for greater equality in all facets of life.
Social and Cultural Expectations
American women’s social and cultural expectations underwent a significant transformation during the pre- and post-World War I era, ultimately leading to the emergence of the Roaring Twenties. Prior to World War I, women were expected to conform to traditional gender roles, which meant that they were primarily responsible for domestic duties such as cooking, cleaning, and child-rearing (Dey and Swarup 3). However, as men went to War, women had to step up and fill in the gaps left behind by their absence. It led to a shift in societal attitudes toward women’s capabilities and potential.
During the post-war period, women’s societal roles began to evolve rapidly. The suffrage movement had gained momentum during the war years and finally culminated in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote (Dey and Swarup 3). This newfound political power gave women a sense of agency and influence they had never experienced before.
Females had the opportunity to participate more entirely in public life and speak out on matters that were important to them. Aside from political empowerment, a cultural transformation was taking place that allowed for greater freedom and expression among women. The flapper became an iconic character of the Roaring Twenties, a young lady who violated traditional standards. She wore short skirts, bobbed her hair, smoked cigarettes, and openly consumed alcohol in public venues such as speakeasies, all of which were previously deemed forbidden for respectable young ladies (Suharyati 48). During this time, the emergence of new technology also had a part in defining cultural expectations for American women. Appliances such as washing machines reduced the time required for household duties, while automobiles provided them more mobility outside their houses.
Many Americans retained traditional attitudes about gender roles throughout this period. For example, while some working-class white women gained new freedom through factory labor or other professions outside of domestic service, many representatives of color faced barriers to employment due to racism and sexism. The flapper stereotype was also largely limited to white upper-middle-class women; working-class females and representatives of color often faced greater scrutiny for expressing themselves in ways that were deemed “unladylike” or inappropriate (Suharyati 47).
Furthermore, the newfound freedoms of the Roaring Twenties did not come without consequences. Women’s rights were rolled back in some areas, such as access to contraception and abortion. Still, at the same time, new policies like Social Security provided some economic security for elderly women who had previously been left vulnerable.
The social and cultural expectations surrounding American women underwent significant changes during the pre- and post-World War I era into the Roaring Twenties. Women gained new political power through voting, freedom through expression as flappers, and mobility involving technological advancements (Suharyati 47). However, these changes were not universal or complete; many women faced discrimination based on race or class status. Furthermore, these changes came with benefits (greater independence) and drawbacks (conservative backlash), demonstrating that societal shifts are never simple.
Conclusion
Overall, American women’s lives progressed from being constrained by cultural conventions to being powerful members of society capable of making their own decisions about their jobs and lifestyles. Limited employment opportunities for women characterized the pre-war era, while social and cultural expectations dictated prioritizing marriage and domestic responsibilities over career aspirations. However, the War changed this narrative as women had to fill in for men at War.
Post-World War I, employment opportunities opened up for women as they took jobs in factories, offices, and other industries. It led to a shift in social expectations as more women gained financial independence and autonomy. Additionally, the Roaring Twenties saw unprecedented cultural changes that challenged traditional gender roles. Women began to embrace new fashion trends, such as shorter hemlines and bobbed haircuts.
Works Cited
Dey, Tuli, and Akanksha Swarup. Women in Science and Technology: An Indian Scenario. 2019. Web.
Johnson, Ayrika. “The War to End All Wars on Ideal Female Figures: An Analysis of WWI and Its Effects on U.S. Women ‘S Fashion from 1917-1927.” Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado, vol. 7, no. 3, 2018, p. 4. Web.
Suharyati, Henny. “Moral and Manners of Flappers (New Woman) in F. Scott Fitzgerald Works.” JHSS (Journal of Humanities and Social Studies), vol. 2, no. 1. 2018, pp. 47–50. Web.