Great Depression Women Research Paper

942 Words4 Pages

Women and Men's roles during the Great Depression significantly impacted America from the 1930s to the 1940s. Women's roles during the Great Depression were important because they worked in different conditions and continued to learn to manage the household and work. The Great Depression made men and women work and play their part during these hard times. The Great Depression affected women in many ways, like fighting for equal pay and working conditions. The working conditions women were in during these times were unfair since women got paid a fraction of what men were paid and sometimes the male employees tried to pay them late or not at all. Jobs created under the Works Progress Administration made women work in fields like nursing and sewing, …show more content…

Men struggle to live up to societal expectations of manhood. This identity crisis for men has increased rates of alcoholism and domestic violence. Men at the time had different job opportunities compared to women who had few options. Men worked as laborers, farmers, military, firemen, police, and government jobs. African American men were the first to be laid off from their jobs and they suffered an unemployment rate of two to three times that of whites. It was very hard for African Americans to find jobs that weren't whites. But the “Jobs for Negros” movement started by boycotting chain stores to be able to work and African Americans became a part of the democratic party due to …show more content…

Some women did not get a higher education by enrolling in college courses. But the women that did choose a higher status of education would limit themselves because if they got married they wouldn’t be able to work. Women also became activists like Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped with the organization of FERA, and Dorothea Lange to stand up for women’s rights. A large number of Americans were unable to afford the healthcare that they very much needed. Insurance policies for healthcare coverage were less useful because they barely helped people out. Many hospitals were closing down due to financial difficulties and were forced to close down. Soon enough, an organization started and it was called Blue Cross and Blue Shield Of Minnesota. This organization helped people who needed health care assistance, which was a sustainable