Assignment 3 – Why is this Important?

Abeer Hasan
201105608
German 2901
John J. Webber
February 20th, 2013

The true importance of researching and professing information correlated to German women and feminism in the twentieth century may not be apparent to some. However, the study of women’s history, in particular during the time of the twentieth century in Germany, is especially prevalent with regards to the advancements of women’s rights all across the world. Within the realms of present day, women who seek to question the inequalities experienced in their own lives turn to history to understand the roots of their oppression and to become aware of the advancements which have occurred before their life time. The research of women’s rights, especially those of the German woman, help to inspire and motivate individuals to further overcome the disadvantages still presently faced by women in various nations. The suffrage of women in Germany and their feminist movements are especially enlightening to people of our present era, just as they were for women in other nations during the twentieth century. For centuries, a woman’s role in German society was summed up by the three “K” words: Kinder (children), kirche (church), and küche (kitchen). Throughout the twentieth century, however, women had gradually advanced with regards to attaining equal rights. In 1919, they received the right to vote, and were made a prominent attribute to the work force with the start of World War II. East Germany provided the most strengthened movement towards equality as early as 1950, with the Soviet-style system mandating the contribution of women to the economy. The government also further implemented the legalization of abortions, educational virtues for women, and a highly developed day-care network for children, which allowed women to be both workers and mothers. After