The many jobs women were allowed to do was work in factories, teach (if they were well-educated), work on farms, and operate telephones. Some women worked as well as men, but would never be equally paid, even if they worked harder and better. Few women had the opportunity to go to college and get educated, others were at home tending to their families. After they finished their part-time jobs, the expectation was that they would go home, clean the house and have dinner ready for their family.
Women were constantly being stereotyped as housewives who had to care for their children and do the cooking and cleaning. Women were to be fully dependent on men, they were seen as weak-minded, helpless and strengthless people. It seemed as if women had more work to do than men. Above all, women had many responsibilities. Men, however, were stereotyped as “providers”,and the one who took lead in a family.
They were to display boldness and weren’t allowed to show vulnerability and emotion. Men had a variety of jobs they could pick from, in that time almost everything business wise was managed by men. Men were better educated than women, so they were easily accepted into many jobs. They could work in industries, agriculture, military, and much more. They were always expected to work and provide shelter, food and support to their families. They made all the decisions, and their wives had to abide by their rules.
When the Great Depression hit, most men lost their jobs or were on the verge of losing it. The gender roles switched around, for it wasn’t the woman depending on the man, but the man depending on the woman. The men couldn’t provide for their families and so it became the wife’s responsibility to keep the family going. Since the men didn’t have jobs, they weren’t in charge anymore; the woman had taken control. There was a huge increase in the amount of jobs women could do, such as working in restaurants, laundry and garment work, electricians, beauticians and nurses. Many states in the US denied the right for women to be employed, they believed if a woman had a job it meant she stole a man’s job.
The Great Depression had a very large and positive impact on women’s roles in the society. A Woman’s skills to do” man’s work” was being recognized, they were no longer seen as weak and helpless, but as strong and powerful people who try to survive in any situation. In the end, women still managed to provide food and shelter for their families. Women had a major role during this time and still do. Gender roles in the society today are different than in the 1930s.
Many women have an equal opportunity as men to get well educated. They also have a number of jobs to apply to. A lot of women hold high positions in leadership professions and are outstanding in performing their duties. Women, like men, now have the right to vote, for in the olden days that possibility wasn’t allowed.
The roles of men haven’t changed a lot. They have less influence on women, because women have been brave enough to stand up for themselves. Nowadays, men cook for their families and take care of the children. The roles have somewhat equalized and are balanced.
But in many countries women still don’t have the rights they deserve, some can’t vote and some may not leave the house to get a job.
