Women on the

HomefrontElsbeth Clarson

Lauren DyerApril 28, 2009

Before the war-Depressed &

Working• Unskilled Labor

AMERICA AT WAR!!!

• When the boys are away……

• The women will work!

• Rosie the Riveter

Agency

• Agency-a philosophical concept of the capacity of an agent to act in a world.

• Work?

• Women?

• Agency?

The Boys are Back in Town

• War JOBS disappear

• GI Bill & Homestead Act- no money down houses

• Move to the suburbs!

Opportunities

Homeward Bound

• Nuclear Family- 2 kids, a dog, a white picket fence

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!

• Calculator—prestigious professions-skilled-lots of money

• Broom—housework-unskilled labor—paid little to nothing

• Money-The driving economic force

• Goods-material possessions

Think Aloud!

• What did you notice about who got the money?

• Why did the men receive the calculators again?

• What does that signify?

• Connect to REAL LIFE: How would you feel if you were given the opportunity to have a more profound impact on the world?

• What emotions would you experience if those opportunities were taken away?

• Fair or Unfair?

Kelly Longitudinal Study (KLS)

• Gathered in the late 1930’s-1950’s

• Question for Married couples

• Find out what is really going on in married lives

• PART B: YOU. YOUR WIFE, AND YOUR MARRIAGE

• In some ways life is like a play. You each take a turn at playing a number of different parts. At various times you are a breadwinner, handyman, host, participant in community affairs, friend and companion to your wife, lover and sexual partner to your wife, and father. You have probably found that you are naturally better cast for some of these parts that you are for others. Some men may play the parts of father and handyman best. Others may be best fitted for breadwinner, host, and participant in community affairs. And still others may be best as friends to their wives.

Educational LevelLevel No. of

Men% No. of

Women%

More than 4 yrs of College

84 28.4 40 13

Four yrs of College

88 29.7 67 21.7

Some College

50 16.8 73 23.6

H.S. plus, but not College

21 7.0 33 10.7

Some H.S. plus some other

11 3.7 9 3.0

High School only

28 9.4 63 20.4

Some H.S. 12 4.0 23 7.4

Grade School Only

1 .003 1 .003

Total 295 100% 298 100%

Status of Wives’ Employment at

Time of Marriage

Percentage of Wives

Unemployed 14.48

Professional 21.89

Skilled 26.26

Unskilled 21.89

Student 15.49

Years During Marriage that Wife

Worked for PayPercentage of Wives

Never 48.60

1st three years only 10.75

Middle Period Only 3.74

Last 3 Years 11.68

1st & Middle Period 7.94

1st & Last 3 Years 5.14

Middle & Last 3 Years 5.14

All 3 Year Periods 7.94

MAD MEN (and WOMEN)

• Questions to think about:

• What is the role of women in the workplace?

• How do stereotypes affect women’s attitudes about themselves?

• Link to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR0w37yQ4MI&feature=related

Discuss!

Women’s Issues/Conflicts

• Children

• Discontent

• Poverty

• Education

• Welfare

Make Your Pitch!!!

• Groups of 3 or 4

• Create idea for a 1950’s sitcom

• Cover Page-illustration of idea

• 1 paragraph- How does it portray Women?

• Add one element of conflict