Women Flashcards
What was the motto for the roles of women in Nazi society?
Kinder, Kurche and Kirche
Children, church, kitchen
What was the “ideal Nazi woman”
Natural blonde hair
Blue eyes
Large (child bearing) hips
Athletic build.
They would wear simple, functional, modest clothes, flat shoes, a full skirt.
They wanted to reverse many trends that increased opportunities for women throughout Europe.
What was the role of women in Nazi society?
Have babies, bring up children, care for their home and for their husband.
How did Nazi policies affect marriage?
Newly married couples were given a loan of 1000 marks (9 months average income)
The amount they had to pay back was reduced depending on the number of children they had. 25% for 1 child, another 25% for 2, etc. 4 children meant the loan was cleared.
Couples who couldn’t have children found it easier to divorce.
Unmarried women were encouraged to live in homes where racially pure SS officers made themselves available to impregnate them.
If you wanted to marry you had to show evidence of “racial purity,” i,e. no evidence of ‘Jewish blood’ in their ancestry.
Compulsory sterilisation started for everyone suffering from blindness, deafness, any physical disability, epilepsy, depression or alcoholism. ‘Unfit’ mother’s could be sterilised.
How did Nazi policies affect employment for women?
Women were encouraged or forced from their jobs, especially those who were married or in professions.
Some woman leaders were arrested or even assassinated.
Due to skills shortage, women had to do a ‘duty year.’ The marriage loan was also abolished the same year, to ensure all money went towards the war effort. (1937).
What was the motherhood cross?
Awards were created to encourage women to have large families?
Bronze - 4 children
Silver - 6 children
Gold - 8 children
These were awarded on august 12th, the birthday of Hitlers mother.
How successful were the Nazi policies towards women?
Birth rate increased from the low point in 1933, reaching its peak in 1939 but slowly decreasing after that.
It seems many couples felt more secure about having children due to increased economic stability, rather than Nazi ideals.
The average number of children actually decreased despite Hitlers efforts.
Nazi policies failed to restore family values, instead undermining them, with obligations to attend various Nazi organisations, denunciations by children of Parents, and the number of Married women working outside the home increasing.
