Women And The Family Flashcards
What was life like for women before Nazi Germany?
Women were treated well compared to other countries at the time with them beginning to gain some support of independence.
How could this independence be proved?
The number of babies being born dropped in contrast to the number of women in highly-paid professions which increased.
What was the main Nazi policy towards women?
The three K’s (Kinder, Kirche and Kuche)
What does the three K’s stand for?
Children, Church, Kitchen
What was the expected behaviour of women in Nazi times?
They were not supposed to wear make-up, dye their hair, had to wear skirts instead of trousers, have a plump body fit for bearing multiple children and to wear simple, unfashionable clothing.
What happened to female workers during the Nazi period?
All female workers employed by the state were sacked (e.g teachers, civil servants and doctors) with their jobs given to unemployed men. The only women that were allowed to carry on working were those in female dominant jobs such as Midwifery.
How did Nazis promote motherhood?
Incentives were offered to women to encourage motherhood. A 1,000 mark loan was given when a woman got married then 250 marks were removed for every child birthed. Medals were also given out for mothers. Bronze was for 4 children, silver for 6 and gold for 8. An anti-abortion law was also put in place while it was also made incredibly hard to be in possession of any type of contraceptive.
Why did many women aim to reach a gold medal?
It meant that their debt was fully paid off and many women who were in possession of gold medals were seen as more superior than other women. For examples members of the Hitler youth had to stop and salute to any mother they saw wearing a gold medal.
How did the Nazis increase the number of Aryan children being born?
Any women who had hereditary diseases or ‘weaknesses’ such as colourblindness were forcibly sterilised.
What was the Lebensborn?
An attempt by Himmler to improve “Racial Standards’ of German babies being born.
What did the Lebensborn include?
Unmarried women were expected to be impregnated by members of the SS in state-organised brothels. These SS members had no attachment to these babies.
How many children are known to be born through the Lebensborn?
11,000
What type of propoganda was used to promote Nazi ideas to women?
The Nationalist Socialist Womanhood (NSF) and German Worker’s Enterprise (DFW) were groups set up to promote anti-feminist ideology and to encourage women to follow Nazi beliefs.
What other types of organisations were set up for women?
Young girls were encouraged to join the Young Maidens youth group then the league of German maidens which taught young girls their role in society as mothers and housekeepers.
