How did World War 2 affect the social standings of women and their roles in society?

Answer 1

Women were affected alot by World War 2 because since men left to go to war women got to take their jobs and show everyone that women are just as capable as men are! But when the men came back from war they all got their jobs back, people were expecting women just to go back home and become a housewife again, women didnt like this at all they liked the jobs the men had and were jsut as capable, this was when they found out it was time for change, this started the Persons Case and the famous five.

Answer 2

Women started to work outside their Homes in WW1 when so many men were away fighting, and so Women found themselves driving buses, and trams, and even railway engines, as well as working in factories all around Britain. WW2 opened more positions for them, as they able to take even more active parts, even on the front line, not just as nurses, but as spies, radio operators, and delivering bombers and fighter aircraft to air fields all over England. Women were a very important part of the British War Effort, and in many ways, helped to Win the War by doing the majority of jobs in industry no longer done by men, even building Ships. The Women working on the front-line on the Fighter Air fields, were killed in their hundreds, but never stopped doing their duty.

And the bravest of all, were the women who worked for MI5/MI6 and the other Security Services in the UK, who were dropped in enemy countries, and helped to set up the final Victory from INSIDE France AND Germany Itself. They never died fast, when they were captured, they were subjected to the WORST that Man could do to Man. They were strong. and brave, and did a first class job. We owe them all, a great deal.

Answer 3

During the war women certainly had the opportunity to work in aresa that they had little access to in peace time. They reached a level of independence that was previously was unheard of. They were victims of prejudice to begin with as many believed that women would not be capable of the work. But if you look at the Land Army for example eventually they did become appreciated and possibly because they had some thing to prove they became harder workers than their male colleagues. But this independence does appear to be temporary. Just think of the 1950s housewife! She was the angel of the home. Research into why women returned to domestic life with out a fight would be well worth reading.

Answer 4

Conscription was introduced in 1939. Most men aged between 18 and 40 had to do military service, meaning that a lot of the Civil Defence work and work in factories and on farms had to be done by women.

All single women between the ages of 19 and 30 had to register for war work. Married women were not 'called up' because the government were worried about the effect it would have on families, but many married women volunteered for work anyway.

Women's' war effort included:

• Farming
• Working in munitions factories
• Civil services
• Manufacture/repair of aircraft and cars
• Banking and insurance
• Evacuation

The deputy Prime Minister said in 1942: "The work the women are performing in munitions factories has to be seen to be believed. Precision engineering jobs which a few years ago would have made a skilled turner's hair stand on end are performed with dead accuracy by girls who had no industrial experience."

This reversal of roles caused women to gain confidence and ambition, which ultimately bought about 'Women's' Rights'. In addition, it provided women with an opportunity to show to the public what they were capable of.