The changing role of women in American society
PRE War expectation:
  • Before the war, girls / women were expected to behave modestly and wear long dresses.
  • When they went out, they had to be accompanied by an older woman or a married woman. (Chaperoned)
  • It was totally unacceptable for a woman to smoke in public.
  • Few paid jobs were available to women those that were, were employed in jobs that were traditionally associated with women, for example servants, seamstresses, secretaries and nurses.
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By the end of the 1920s there were significant changes to the role of women. (How significant?)
Politics - Women had some success in gaining greater political equality...
because...
  • The 19th amendment (1920) gave them the vote on equal terms to men.
  • 8 million women voted in the 1920 election.
  • In the North, many black women won the right to vote and became involved in politics. In Florida more African American women registered for the vote than did white women.
  • Because they had the vote their voice was immediately more important, and they could influence government legislation.
  • The political parties could ill-afford to ignore their views - for example the Sheppard-Towner Act. (1921) This act provided federal funding for prenatal care and education, including the creation of women and children's health clinics.
but...
  • Many obstacles for southern black women remained e.g they could not vote unless they could prove they could read and interpret the constitution.
  • and Native Americans were not given the vote
  • Politics was still male dominated - Even though women constituted were 50% of the population
  • By the end of the 1920s only 24 states allowed women to serve on a jury.
  • By 1928, ONLY 145 women had seats in 35 State governments and there were only 2 were State Governors.
  • The National Woman’s Party, failed to get an Equal Rights Amendment accepted. (1923) Not passed until 1970s!
  • Many women still believed in a women's traditional role as mother and housekeeper - esp. in rural USA.
So...(how far?)
Overall, the 19th Amendment was a landmark, but very many obstacles remained, and it took decades for real political power to be achieved.
Employment - women saw more opportunity and improvement in the workplace which improved their lives...
beacause...
  • They were employed in greater numbers and in a far wider range of jobs - especially in new industries and especially single women.
  • ​The economic boom saw department stores employ many women as designers and buyers - potentially lucrative positions including international travel.
  • There was an increase of 25 per cent in the number of women working during the 1920s.
  • By 1929, 10.6 million women were employed outside the home.
  • By 1930 26% of married women were in employment (compared to 7% pre 1900)
  • They found jobs as telephonists, typists, secretaries and clerks.
  • ​Those in employment gained greater financial independence - allowing them to purchase consumer goods and enjoy greater free time.
but...
  • expectations remained, that single working women would eventually marry ("I pay our women well so they can dress attractively and get married." - Henry Ford)
  • jobs in management continued to be male dominated.
  • pregnant employees would lose their jobs - there was no maternity pay / leave
  • Many US states forbade women from working night shifts (after 10pm)
  • many law firms refused to employ women with law degrees (or only hired them as secretaries)
  • most women were still housewives and were not as free as men.
  • the average weekly wage for men in 1920s was $29 compared to $17 for women.
So...:
  • (how far?) Overall, traditional views of women as mothers and home makers remained, but it was being challenged in spite of there still being many discriminatory practices in employment
Societal changes saw women enjoy greater 'freedom' (autonomy in society)
​because.... 
  • Women started to smoke and drink in public and to go out without chaperones, all of which would have been frowned upon before the war.
  • They wore clothing more suited to an active life. They stopped wearing corsets. Skirts became shorter. In 1919, women’s skirts were about six inches above ground level, but by 1927 the hems of skirts were up to knee-level. They favoured waistless, lightweight dresses.
  • It became acceptable for women to drive cars and take part in energetic sports.
  • Fashions - It was all the rage for women to cut their hair in a bob. Beauty salons spread across America.
  • They wore a lot of jewellery and make-up. Spending on cosmetics increased from $17 million to $200 million per year during the 1920s. Chanel and Elizabeth Arden were favourite brands - becoming household names.
  • Young women danced the new daring dances, such as the Shimmy and the Bunny Hug, and rejected the formal dances of their parents, for example the waltz.
  • Petting Parties and Flirt Clubs began where women could kiss men in public!
  • Increased use of contraception gave women control over their bodies. (Reproductive rights)
  • The divorce rate increased - from 1 /1000 to 1.9/1000.
but...
  • A married woman still had to be on their husband's passport if they wished to travel.
  • Working class and rural women could not afford the new fashions and they didn't have the time to go out and enjoy social events.
  • Black women could not benefit from the changing lifestyle due to discrimination and poverty.
  • Many women in the Bible Belt disapproved  - it was considered unchristian.
  • Older women disliked the immodesty of the flappers. Their behaviour was considered 'immoral'  (Skirts going up, morals going down! esp. the petting parties!
Important influences on the changing role of women in society
  • Jazz Clubs: they played a crucial role in allowing the flappers to express themselves. This was where they could smoke and dance. They also drank illegal alcohol in the speakeasies.
  • Cinemas: famous flappers of the time were Joan Crawford, a Broadway dancer and Hollywood film star, and Clara Bow, who was known as the “It" Girl. Hollywood films featured them and, as a result, their behaviour and dress sense was imitated by millions of Americans.
  • Advertising companies: they targeted women in their campaigns to encourage them to buy their new products.
  • Mail order companies: they enabled women who lived in isolated areas to get consumer goods.
  • Chain stores: they opened across America and made a new range of goods widely available. By 1929, there were 1,000 Penney stores in the USA.
  • Mass production in factories: items such as clothing could be produced cheaply and quickly. Sales went up 427 per cent in the 1920s.
  • New materials: these were cheaper and easier to clean. They included rayon, which replaced silk, for making stockings. By 1930, 30 million pairs were sold.
  • Hire purchase schemes:these enabled women to borrow money to buy items normally beyond their means.
  • Young people’s attitudes: they rejected the values of their parents and desired an independent lifestyle. College students especially were willing to challenge their parents' values.
  • The economic boom: more jobs meant more opportunities for women.

Conclusion: The decade started promisingly for women but ended with many unfulfilled expectations. Certainly, new opportunities and changing expectations and attitudes, but the changes were more evolutionary than revolutionary....'