1930s Women Essay

Did you know the United States federal government required female employees to be paid twenty-five percent less than male employees? Women in the 1930s were typically paid less because they worked in the fields of teaching, nursing, and domestic work. These jobs were also less affected by the stock market crash. Women were paid less than male employees and usually worked more than fifty hours per week. The Great Depression had an influence on women in many ways. They were impacted by gender inequality, employment, and education. To start, women in the 1930s faced gender inequality. They were prohibited from working while being married. This was called marriage bars they were put in place because the stock market crash caused a decrease in

However, according to Jone Johnson Lewis:

…as fewer and fewer women were able to find employment, the societal ideals that had embraced increasing female freedoms did an about-face. Domesticity, motherhood, and homemaking once again became regarded as the only truly proper and fulfilling roles for women (Lewis).

Society remained to have its ideal jobs for women. On the bright side, more job opportunities for women started to expand. They mainly thrived in the radio, telephone, and film industries. Also, women in the Soviet Union were being treated more equally. For instance, “Women workers are hired on the basis of strict equality with men and equal pay for equal work is a reality.” According to The Daily Worker. In addition, they were also able to be trained for government, council, and school. Employment impacted women positively, and it opened doors for women to go into government and important public roles. Women had little interest in pursuing higher education before the Great Depression, but during that time women wanted to get involved in college and have careers due to the lack of opportunities before the Great

They challenged traditional gender stereotypes by pursuing higher education and getting involved in sports and activities; professors at universities also advised women to challenge gender stereotypes. According to “Challenging Gender Stereotypes during the Depression: Female Students at the University of Washington”, “In 1934, Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington William Wilson encouraged women to challenge the stereotypes of the female student and take advantage of the scope for creative learning that higher education allowed” (Nicolette Flannery). Swimming was one of the most popular sports for women at the University of Washington. Female students even petitioned the physical education department to increase pool hours because it was crowded. The University of Washington provided support and more opportunities for women. They offered courses and programs in 1935 to specifically advance women in business. Women also looked into college courses due to the lack of jobs during the Great Depression. They wanted to be self-sufficient, and women that were married had to restrict their involvement because of marriage bars. Education for women was impacted, and it was one of the many effects of the Great