Why have attitudes changed towards men and women in the UK? Flashcards
Five points
Women became part of the workforce in WW1 and WW2 The UN Declaration of Human Rights Contraception The changing nature of family life Women's Rights groups
Women became part of the workforce in WW1 and WW2
During WW1 and WW2, women became part of the workforce and did the jobs of men who were at war
Women proved that they were completely capable
When the men returned at the end of the war, women did not want to give up their independence and jobs
The UN Declaration of Human Rights
This includes the right to equality for all people regardless of gender - 1948
Contraception
The contraceptive pill, introduced in the 1960s, gave women the choice to have a family or not and also means they were in control of family planning - if and when they wanted children
This opened up more opportunities in terms of career
As more women made the choice to work, it became more accepted in society
A range of contraception is now readily available
The changing nature of family life
Men are increasingly helping to raise the children
Men can now take paternity leave
This means the woman is not expected to leave her work and look after the family, it is not her sole responsibility
Women’s Rights groups
The work of women’s organisations to campaign for equal rights are increasingly influential
e. g. the Suffragettes and the vote
e. g. the National Alliance of Women’s Organisations which works nationally within the UK and also internationally