Women & Social Change Flashcards
What roles did women works as in the war
Munitions manufacturing, WPOs, Transport, Shell filling factories
Were women in the workplace a completely new phenomenon in 1914?
Women in paid employment were not a new phenomenon in 1914. They made up a substantial part of the industrial workforce
What problems were there for women in the workforce one peace returned
Many women lost their jobs when demobilised soldiers return to Britain in late 1918 and 1919. They also still faced issues over equal pay
What changes were made by the sex disqualification removal act of 1919
It allowed women to stand as candidates for Parliamentary seats
What was a ‘flapper’ and did all women experience changes during the roaring 20s
Flappers were ‘attractive, reckless and independent’ women who shocked society with their wild behaviour
It was only really women from the aristocracy who experienced change
What new employment opportunities were there for women in the 1920s
They took up ex servicemen’s jobs
Teachers, nurses, doctors, civil service
Assembly work in engineering, electrical, food and drink industries
Examples of continuity for women
1919 restoration of pre war practices act gave men back jobs that women had been doing
What was matrimonial causes act and when was it
1923 - wives did not need to prove cruelty, desertion or another cause as well as adultery as grounds for divorce. These grounds were extended in 1927
When and what was the guardian of infants act
1924 - gave joint guardianship of children to both parent, rather than just the father. Custody disputes were settled in courts
When and what was the new English law of property
1926 - Gave single women The right to hold and dispose of their property on the same terms as men
When and what was the law reform act
1935 - equalised the rules regarding property for married women, giving them the same control of their property as single women
What did the suffragettes do at the start of the war
At the start of the war the suffragette movement threw its weight behind the effort as women began to take up roles that would have been unthinkable a few years before
They also gave white feathers to those who didn’t join the army
How were the powers of women police limited
WPS were not granted the power of arrest, only dealing with women and children. Discouraged joining the force
Give 6 examples of new forms of work undertaken by women
Munitions factory workers, working in WPS, engineering works, shipyards, making tanks and planes, doctors, land army
Give two reason why women’s football became more popular during the war
Working in factories, they discovered ‘team spirit’ which transferred to football. Also raised funds for soldiers and their families. The men’s game was also suspended
