The changing role of women in American society
Before the war, girls 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.
It was totally unacceptable for a woman to smoke in public.
Females were employed in jobs that were traditionally associated with women, for example servants, seamstresses, secretaries and nurses.
By the end of the 1920s there were significant changes to the role of women, but they did not affect all females.
Before the war, girls 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.
It was totally unacceptable for a woman to smoke in public.
Females were employed in jobs that were traditionally associated with women, for example servants, seamstresses, secretaries and nurses.
By the end of the 1920s there were significant changes to the role of women, but they did not affect all females.
Politics
Women had some success in increasing their role in politics.
Their biggest achievement was getting the vote.
Organisations such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) had been campaigning for decades to get the vote for women, but it was not until 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote.
They were given it because of their contribution to the war effort during World War One.
They had taken on new types of jobs, for example factory work, when they replaced the men who had gone to fight.
It was therefore difficult to refuse their demands for political equality.
Getting the vote gave women some political power.
For example, during the campaigns to introduce Prohibition and later to end it, politicians paid attention to the views of women because they needed their support in elections.
By 1928, 145 women had seats in 35 State governments and 2 were State Governors, but these were the exceptions. Politics was still male dominated.
The National Woman’s Party, led by Alice Paul and Rose Winslow, failed to get the Equal Rights Amendment accepted.
This was partly because their aim of equality between men and women in all areas of life brought them into conflict with other women’s groups.
Women had some success in increasing their role in politics.
Their biggest achievement was getting the vote.
Organisations such as the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) had been campaigning for decades to get the vote for women, but it was not until 1920 that the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution gave women the right to vote.
They were given it because of their contribution to the war effort during World War One.
They had taken on new types of jobs, for example factory work, when they replaced the men who had gone to fight.
It was therefore difficult to refuse their demands for political equality.
Getting the vote gave women some political power.
For example, during the campaigns to introduce Prohibition and later to end it, politicians paid attention to the views of women because they needed their support in elections.
By 1928, 145 women had seats in 35 State governments and 2 were State Governors, but these were the exceptions. Politics was still male dominated.
The National Woman’s Party, led by Alice Paul and Rose Winslow, failed to get the Equal Rights Amendment accepted.
This was partly because their aim of equality between men and women in all areas of life brought them into conflict with other women’s groups.
Employment
There were changes to the role of women in the workplace. They were employed in greater numbers and in a wider range of jobs.
However:
There were changes to the role of women in the workplace. They were employed in greater numbers and in a wider range of jobs.
- 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.
- They found jobs as telephonists, typists, secretaries and clerks.
- their contribution during the war;
- the economic boom which created more jobs;
- young women, especially among the middle class, wanting financial independence;
- changes in the divorce law, which increased the number of women needing work;
- changes in attitudes in society towards the traditional role of women;
- advertising, on radio and in cinemas, which created a desire to earn money to purchase consumer goods;
- labour-saving devices, such as vacuum cleaners, freed up time from household chores for work outside the home.
However:
- jobs in management continued to be male dominated;
- most women were still housewives and were not as free as men.
Society Huge changes took place in this area, but not for all women.
There were more freedoms and pleasure-seeking opportunities.
Not every woman took part in the flappers' way of life.
There were more freedoms and pleasure-seeking opportunities.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 changed sexual habits.
- A new slang language developed. “I have to go see a man about a dog” was slang for going to buy whisky, and a 'handcuff' or 'manacle' was an engagement or wedding ring.
Not every woman took part in the flappers' way of life.
- 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 did not take part because they disapproved of the immorality.
- Older people disliked the immodesty of the flappers.
Important influences on the changing role of women in society
- Jazz Clubs: they played a crucial role in allowing the flappersto 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.
- Women got the vote and influenced some campaigns, for example Prohibition, but they held few political posts and did not get equality with men.
- 25 per cent more women were employed in a greater range of jobs. Their role was no longer just home-making and child-rearing, but most were still housewives and many jobs in business and the professions were not yet open to them.
- New gadgets, made from new materials, such as Bakelite, helped reduce the chores of housewives, but only for those who could afford to purchase them.
- It was mainly young, rich women who enjoyed a carefree, independent lifestyle. Life for many did not change. Poor people, especially in working class areas and in rural areas such as the Midwest, could not afford the changes.
- Not all women were happy with the changes to the role of females. Many Americans were outraged at the immodesty of the flappers. Christian fundamentalists, especially in the Bible Belt, did not adopt the new way of life which they saw as immoral and against the teachings of God. Older people’s traditional view of women’s roles continued.
