Change in women's status over time (T3) Flashcards
When was ROPA and what did it allow for?
1918 - vote extended to women over the age of 30.
After ROPA (in 1928), what happened in 1928?
It extended to all women after various campaigners put pressure on MP’s
NUSEC organised demonstrations in Hyde Park in 1926 - 3000 attended
How much political advancement was there after ROPA?
Examples?
It led to little political advancement.
- 1918 election only 17 women stood as candidate and only 1, Countess Constance Markievicz, won.
- high number of female MP’s was 15 in 1931.
Why did women’s groups become split over feminist issues?
This is because parties did not want to risk a female candidate in a safe-seat (reflects ingrained sexism and male bias in society).
Did women gain more jobs due to the war? Examples?
Yes, women gained more jobs due to war.
- Jobs in traditionally male work (replacing men fighting in war)
- Queen Elizabeth worked as a mechanic
- Percentage of women who worked as engineers, in transport or the chemical industry rose from 14% in 1939 to 33% in 1945.
How stable was the employment of women in WW2?
Some women were forced out of work after WW2, but changed was more permanent than WW1.
- 1951 1/4 of married women worked, 1971 1/2 did.
How skilled was women’s work?
More semi-skilled and unskilled working jobs due to shifts in the labour market - easier for women to work - 1965 60% of working women do unskilled jobs.
How was the women’s role in parliament?
Little representation in Parliament - 23 female MPs in 1974.
They were usually exceptionally talented due to having to overcome large opposition to get in Parliament.
- Margaret Thatcher
What did Barbara Castle introduce in 1970?
Equal Pay Act
What was involved for women in the Family Planning Act?
Eleanor Rathbone insured payments went to the mother.
What was involved in the NHS for women?
Free healthcare for women (who has previously been last in line for healthcare - 1911 Insurance Act insured workers but not their wives).
What was involved with the introduction in the pill in 1961 for women?
Made the contraceptive pill available for women on the NHS in 1967, 1 million users by 1967. It gave women better control and freedoms over sexual actions.
It also improved midwifery - death during birth fell from 1/1000 to 0.18/1000 in 1963.
What was involved in the 1946 National Insurance act for women?
1946 National Insurance Act classed non-working wives as ‘dependants’ - they could not claim unemployment benefit.
What was involved in the 1967 Abortions Act for women?
Women can access abortions - BUT debate focused on dangers of ‘backstreet abortions’ (caused 40 deaths in 1966) rather than women’s rights.
What was involved in the 1969 Divorce Reform Act for women?
Make divorce easier, no longer necessary to prove a ‘fault’ in the marriage, can divorce after 2 years due to ‘irreconcilable differences’, or 5 if only one party wants to divorce.
Did the rate of divorces change once the 1969 Divorce Act was legalised?
Rate of divorces increased from 3 to 1000 marriages in 1965 to 10 in 1000 marriages by 1967.
What were some womens liberal movements in the 70s which helped challenge social expectations of women and increased awareness of issues of domestic abuse and rape?
1970 - Germaine Greer ‘The female Eunuch’
1970 - 1st WLM conference
1970 - feminists flour bomb a miss world contest.
How much of women’s work in 1918 was “piece work”
2/3
How many women were inservice (maid clean workers)
1.25 million
What did the Sex Disqualification Act (1918) do
What significant employment change occurred for women by 1918?
Over 1 million women were in the metals and chemicals industry.
What happened to women’s employment levels after World War I?
Employment levels returned to 1914 levels.
What was a common job for women by 1918?
‘In-service’ roles such as maid, cleaner, and cook.
What percentage of work done by women was known as ‘piece work’?
Two thirds.
What did the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 achieve?
It prevented barring women from careers in law or civil service based on gender.
How many architects were there in 1931 according to the data?
21 out of 6,000.
When did the marriage bar begin to be lifted in teaching?
1944.
What was the main motivation for women to work in 1948?
Extra income.
How many women were part of the Women’s Land Army by 1944?
80,000.
What roles did women take on during World War II?
Munitions factories and cryptanalysis.
By what year did 50% of married women retain their jobs?
1972.
What significant pay policy was introduced in the civil service in 1958?
Equal pay for all employees.
What was the purpose of the Equal Pay Act 1970?
To support principles of equality of treatment and opportunity for women workers.
What did the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 accomplish?
Made pay discrimination between men and women illegal.
True or False: Women faced no prejudice in everyday life and at work after 1975.
False.
Fill in the blank: By 1918, 1.05 million women were in _______.
in-service roles.
Who was the first female
