Premium Essay

Explain How the Role of Women in Us Society Changed in the 1920s

In:

Submitted By hannahwalford
Words 265
Pages 2
Explain how the role of women in US society changed in the 1920s

In the 1920s, the roles of US women changed in many different ways.

At the start of the decade, women did not have the same rights as men and it was thought that their only jobs in life were to cook, clean and to please their husband.
However, more and more women began to get jobs as the war had left the country’s men in a bad state and the women who had worked throughout the war didn’t want to go back to doing nothing. This meant that they began to earn their own money and for the first time women could become more independent from their husbands.

Some women took brought the independency from men to a whole new level. Women called ‘Flappers’ did not marry at a young age (although generally did marry in later life) and supported themselves. They did many things which were looked down upon in that era such as: sex before marriage, smoked and drank in public places and wore short revealing clothes.

Despite the fact that flappers helped to change western attitudes to women, there was some criticism surrounding them because there was still a strong conservative element in the American society.

Therefore I think that ultimately without the flapper movement women would not have been thought of as being able to take care of themselves but through the flappers choices, 1920s society was proved to that women were just as capable to work for a living and be social just like the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

His 204 Final Paper

...Women’s Role (1865-Present) Kimberly Burrows HIS 204 Joseph Scahill February 2, 2013 Women’s Role (1865-Present) Throughout history, women have suffered fewer rights then men and are discriminated against because of their gender. Historically, a woman’s main role was to tend to the home isolated in the domestic “bubble” and to raise their children while their husbands were away at work. In this paper, I will describe the historical significance of this issue from 1865 to the present. I will explain the historical developments that presented new opportunities for women in society. I will discuss the main individuals that were involved in these struggles. To conclude, I will analyze ways in which it contributed to an “ending of isolation” while assessing the challenges involved. Even today, women still face discrimination based on their gender. However, the role of women has changed significantly which has created a lasting and ongoing increase of women's rights. The woman’s role presents a historical significance from 1865 to today for many reasons. Prior to the Civil War, women were perceived as the weaker sex and were considered intellectually inferior to men. Their freedom was limited and they had fewer rights than men. Women were expected to marry, care for their home, cook, make clothing and raise their children. According to Manning, M. J. (2005), “Women were viewed as wives and mothers, whose economic rights were mainly to be supported by a male breadwinner and...

Words: 3172 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Dfsdf

...Year 10 Revision Timelines: The Roaring Twenties Women Before First World War * Women could not vote. * Middle/upper class women did not work but had the role of mothers and housewives. Working class women had low paid jobs such as factory work and cleaning. * Women usually wore full length dresses, wore no make up and had their hair tied back in buns. * Divorce was very rare and so was sex before marriage. * Women did not smoke or drink in public. * They had to go out with a chaperone (a family member) when they met their boyfriend. How did the First World War change the lives of women? * During the war, women began to work in areas like heavy industry. They proved they could work as well as men. By 1929, there were 10 million women workers; a rise of 24% since 1920. * Working gave women independence and they began smoking and drinking in public. * Women were given the vote in August 1920 but few were chosen to be actual politicians. * Production of consumer goods such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines meant women had more time for leisure activities. * Flappers emerged in the 1920’s = women from middle and upper class families from the Northern States. They cut their hair in short bobs, wore make up, short skirts and bright clothes. They also smoked and drank in public, went to speakeasies, danced the Charleston with men and listened to Jazz and drove cars and motorbikes. * BUT many groups, particularly...

Words: 6533 - Pages: 27

Premium Essay

Japan Family System

...is the family important to study? How have its functions changed and why? The family is important to study because it is the primary agent for socialization. It is the first unit that teaches the rules of society to children. One of the two social entities recognized universally, the other is religion. The function of family has changed over time because it has shifted from an extended family to more of a nuclear family. The functions of a family: Protection, affection, procreation, production, education transfer of status. What are the three important differences between family systems in East Asia and the United States? Explain each. 1. Confucian values- places emphasis on loyalty and obedience to the group and its leader, where the United states has individualism 2. Gender Inequality- In east asia there is a patrinlean and multi-generational system, with the inheritence rights traveling down the male line, where in united states its bi-lateral and emphasis is placed on nuclear family. 3. Demographic Transition- Change from high fertility high mortality to a low fertility and mortality rates causing an aging population. Same in US but there is more immigration to the US which helps keep it more age balanced. How did the Japanese religious tradition view women? What roles were available to them? Confucian values states that women were inferior to men and theat they were to obey men. Buddhism states that women would not acheieve salvation and were...

Words: 2771 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Civil Right

...1. Discuss when, why and how the Cold War began. Then cite at least one factor that perpetuated the Cold War in each decade from the 1950s-1980s and discuss how the item you selected affected America at home as well. Last, discuss when and why the Cold War ended. 2. Discuss the origins of the Vietnam War, the course of the war over thirty years in the 1940s, and wars' impact on the United States, both at home and in terms of foreign policy. 3. Write an essay on the civil rights movement since 1953 in which you discuss the major factors that have contributed to its success and its major gains. Be sure to discuss more than one group and to cite examples from each decade of the 1950s through the 1990s. 4. Discuss the reasons for America's economic growth or decline in each decade from the 1950s through the 1990s. Then explain how various presidents have dealt with economic problems and why they succeeded or failed. 5. Write an essay about the impact of television on the history of the United States over the past fifty years in which you describe in detail at least one historical event of national importance from each decade of the 1950s - 1990s that was affected by TV. Civil Right: The WWII can be recognized at the origin of the period when United States started it political and economical dominant compare to other nations. WWII reshaped Americans’ understanding of themselves as a people. The struggle against Nazi tyranny and its theory of a master race discredited...

Words: 1612 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Hist204 Womens Role

...Women’s Role (1865-Present) Kimberly Burrows HIS 204 Joseph Scahill February 2, 2013 Women’s Role (1865-Present) Throughout history, women have suffered fewer rights then men and are discriminated against because of their gender. Historically, a woman’s main role was to tend to the home isolated in the domestic “bubble” and to raise their children while their husbands were away at work. In this paper, I will describe the historical significance of this issue from 1865 to the present. I will explain the historical developments that presented new opportunities for women in society. I will discuss the main individuals that were involved in these struggles. To conclude, I will analyze ways in which it contributed to an “ending of isolation” while assessing the challenges involved. Even today, women still face discrimination based on their gender. However, the role of women has changed significantly which has created a lasting and ongoing increase of women's rights. The woman’s role presents a historical significance from 1865 to today for many reasons. Prior to the Civil War, women were perceived as the weaker sex and were considered intellectually inferior to men. Their freedom was limited and they had fewer rights than men. Women were expected to marry, care for their home, cook, make clothing and raise their children. According to (Manning, 2005),   “Women were viewed as wives and mothers, whose economic rights were mainly to be supported by a male breadwinner and protected...

Words: 8287 - Pages: 34

Premium Essay

Anorexia Nervosa Research Paper

...(Hidayat). The previous statement was written about young asian women in Japan and Korea. Nina Hidayat wrote an article about the expectations and body image issues for young women in Asia. When people think about body image, they only think of the US. Not many people think about how those in other countries have the same issues we do. Studies show that the more reality television a young girl watches, the more likely she is to find appearance important (Web 1). The media plays a large role in how women perceive body image and themselves (ie, magazines, internet, television, etc). The results said peers predict the negative outcomes...

Words: 2469 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Chuck Lee Case Study

...Viewpoint #1- Chuck Lee, Chinese Head Tax Payer a. I am thinking whether the 1920s was a period of progress or decline from the point of view of. Chuck Lee, Chinese Head Tax Payer. According to the evidence I saw, Chuck Lee paid a $500 head tax to enter Canada in 1906. However, sometime after 1926, he went back to China to get married. After his marriage, his wife continued to live in China due to the immigration laws of Canada which at the time, were prohibiting Chinese immigration. The Chinese Immigration Act was a law to keep Chinese from entering Canada. However, for the Chinese already in Canada, they were allowed to take trips back home for a maximum of 2 years, no more. b. I think. describe the topic from your viewpoint. Be an actor...

Words: 2734 - Pages: 11

Free Essay

Modern Racism

...The Barber Shop and Modern Racism The Barber Shop 1- I accompanied a friend of mine, Phillip, to his barber shop in his neighborhood at 49th and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. In this neighborhood, I was instructed by Phil to carry my legal weapon being the lone Caucasian in the predominately black/Hispanic neighborhood, due to the violence of gang activity. So after being instructed to wear neutral colors such as white or black, we went so he could get a haircut. My normally clean cut self is definitely out of my environment. We park his car in a parking lot on the corner, and he is immediately greeted by a group of 3 young dark skinned black men, in dark baggy oversized clothing with brand new flat brimmed hats and Jordan basketball shoes. They exchange a handshake and we move towards the barber shop. At this point I am observed as the outsider, from the little kids playing on the corner to the gang members selling what I can assume is crack, judging by the tweaking, raggedy, twitchy individuals dropping money off and running away. We enter the barber shop that was built in, what appears to be the mid 1950’s. Inside, is a replica of the Eddie Murphy movie, “Coming to America” except for an old Jewish man there is a surprisingly, a 65 year old Asian man named Han sitting in the corner. There are 3 black barbers who address myself as cracker when I enter with phil. There are photos of famous, powerful African Americans on the wall. Dr. King, Henry Aaron...

Words: 1626 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

American History Post Civil War

...United States has faced great changes toward development in the past hundreds of years. A society that was coming to depend increasingly on specialized skills and scientific knowledge was, of course a society with a high demand for education. The late nineteenth century, therefore, was a time of rapid expansion and reform of American school and universities. One example was the spread of free public primary and secondary education. In 1860, there were only 100 public high schools in the entire United States. By 1900, the number had reached 6,000, and by 1914 over 12,000. By 1900, compulsory school attendance laws were in effect in thirty-one states and territories. But education was still far from universal. Rural areas lagged far behind urban-industrial ones in funding public education. Also, in the south, many blacks had access to no schools at all. The post-Civil War era saw, too, an important expansion of educational opportunities for women. In the years after the war, many of the land-grant colleges and universities in the Midwest and such private universities as Cornell and Wesleyan began to admit women along with men. The female college was part of an important phenomenon in the history of modern American women; likewise, the anthropologists, sought to provide educational opportunities for the Indian tribes as well, in an effort to “civilize” them and help them adapt to white society. In the 1900s schools were beginning to offer instruction not only in the traditional...

Words: 2231 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Stereotypes: The Importance Of Voting In The United States

...lowest participation rate ranged from 18 to 29 years old. This lack of participation of young Americans place a strain on issues that affect the young population, such as allowing officials to ignore concerns involving student debt and funding for higher education. Young Americans have the power to voice their political, social, and economic opinions to make a difference, but they ignore the opportunity to act during election day due to two misconceptions: their vote does not matter and the election does not concern them. Today, I am going to explain how every vote matters, express the importance of voting, and...

Words: 782 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Statue Of Liberty Research Paper

...and come to the united states to create a new life without any persecution from any kind. My goal in this paper is to focus on the meanings for the statue of liberty which have changed over the time, and the countless roles in its 127-year history. I have organized my paper into two main sections, in the first one, we`re going to reflect on some of the various political and cultural meanings of the statue of liberty, in the second section I focus on the universal meanings of the statue as freedom, emancipation, and the national unity. Political and cultural meanings As the American civil war drew to close, in the summer of 1865, several French intellectuals were at a dinner party at the historian Edouard de Laboulaye`s mansion in Glatigny, Laboulaye was a French law...

Words: 917 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Sociology

...Midterm: Question 1. The Structural-functional theory sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. The Social-conflict theory sees society as an arena of inequalities that generates conflict and change. The Symbolic-interaction theory sees society as the product of everyday interactions of individuals. These are the names and definitions of three of Sociology’s theoretical approaches to Sociology and they all differ in their own ways. We will start with the Structural-function theory, and it says that is sees society complex system of moving parts that work together to make society stable and solid. This approach to sociology has been applied to everything from culture to sexuality. When applied to culture this approach makes values the core culture; this basically meaning that cultural values are what direct our lives, give meaning to what we do, and bind people together. “Consider Amish farmers in central Ohio plowing hundreds of acres of land with a team of horses. His methods may violate the cultural values of efficiency, but from the Amish point of view, hard work functions to develop the discipline necessary for a devoutly religious way of life.”(Pg 54) This differs from the way Social-conflict theory approaches culture. This theory brings attention to the link between culture and inequality. From this point of view a cultural trait may help some members of society but at the expense of others. Social-conflict theory is...

Words: 5694 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Sociolo of Family

...The role of men and women in a family are not explicitly defined and vary vastly from across many countries. In Iran for example, men’s roles are normally more valued and rewarded than women’s roles. This research report will outline the basic assumptions about families prior to any feminist changes and explain the rationale for this. It will then discuss the initiation of the feminist movement and the way in which it affected the roles within a family and the structure of a family. The report will analyse the implications of feminism and discuss the types of feminism, which have affected the basic assumptions of families. In order to fully understand the challenges feminist have posed, the report will consider the importance of feminism in today’s society, assessing our assumptions about families and to what degree it is considered a priority. As a matter of interest, there will also be a discussion on the effect of feminism on families on an international scale. This research report will seek to conclude concisely the ways in which feminists have challenged the basic foundation and ideas in relation to families. In the seventeenth and eighteenth century Cheal cites that the term nuclear family emerged describing a couple who are legally married and have their own children residing in a permanent home. (Cheal, D. 2002) Talcott Parsons (1956) has suggested a possible rational justifying why the basic assumption of families exists. Parson’s view was based on the facts...

Words: 2959 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Syllabus

...events affecting U.S. history from the Civil War through World War II. Policies Faculty and students will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:  University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Schultz, K. M. (2012). HIST2, volume 2 (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: Reconstruction and the New South Details Objectives 1.1 Evaluate the outcomes of Reconstruction. 1.2 Summarize the economic, political, and social characteristics of the New South. 1.3 Explain the populist response to late 19th-century developments. Read the course description and objectives. Read the instructor’s biography and post your own. Read Ch. 16 of HIST2, Volume 2. Read pp. 318–325 in Ch. 19 of HIST2, Volume 2. Read this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Respond to weekly discussion questions. 9/1 9/1 20 10 Due Points Course Preparation Reading Reading Reading Participation Discussion Questions Nongraded Activities and Preparation Freeman or Freedman...

Words: 3907 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Literary Theory

...Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism Introduction A very basic way of thinking about literary theory is that these ideas act as different lenses critics use to view and talk about art, literature, and even culture. These different lenses allow critics to consider works of art based on certain assumptions within that school of theory. The different lenses also allow critics to focus on particular aspects of a work they consider important. For example, if a critic is working with certain Marxist theories, s/he might focus on how the characters in a story interact based on their economic situation. If a critic is working with post-colonial theories, s/he might consider the same story but look at how characters from colonial powers (Britain, France, and even America) treat characters from, say, Africa or the Caribbean. Hopefully, after reading through and working with the resources in this area of the OWL, literary theory will become a little easier to understand and use. Disclaimer Please note that the schools of literary criticism and their explanations included here are by no means the only ways of distinguishing these separate areas of theory. Indeed, many critics use tools from two or more schools in their work. Some would define differently or greatly expand the (very) general statements given here. Our explanations are meant only as starting places for your own investigation into literary theory. We encourage you to use the list of scholars and works provided for each...

Words: 11786 - Pages: 48