Stereotypes Of Women In The 1930s

From women constricted to jobs confined to staying at home, to breaking barriers to science discoveries, women have experienced a major shift in society with gender equality throughout history. In the 1930s, women were limited as to what jobs they could have and what they could accomplish, explained by their subordinate role in society when compared to men. Society's view of women impacts judgments and assumptions made about them, and since then we have broken down stereotypes as to what women can do. The perception of women has improved as more people have recognized gender inequality and advocated for equality, giving women more opportunities in society now than the 1930s. In The Big Sleep, a novel written in the 1930s by Raymond Chandler,

This idea that dominated the world at the time shaped women’s role in society, from the traditional stay-at-home role a mother would take on. Statistics show, “Over 25 percent of the National Recovery Administration’s wage codes set lower wages for women, according to T.H. Watkin’s The Great Depression: America in the 1930s” (Rotondi). This company purposely set wages lower for women, aligning with the prominent view of women in the 1930’s. This view continued to stay stagnant, “...Women were forced to accept specialized roles in the domestic sphere or reduced status in the man's world” (Moran). The jobs they were forced to accept, if any, were restricted to “womens work,” for example as a nurse, and they were poorly paid. Women were negatively affected by this view and their status in society was seen as unequal living in a “man’s world.” Today, equality for women has improved because there is a stronger push from society for gender equality, yet statistics show in many fields women are in worse positions than

With this data, we understand that this large amount of women in poverty goes along with the 1930’s idea of women struggling more than men, and having less opportunity. Another quote explains womens limitations, “Yet women continue to face exclusion from leadership roles and peace negotiations, are systematically terrorized and violated in conflict settings, and remain disproportionately vulnerable to challenges like climate change and the weaponization of new technology” (Anania). Due to how women are looked at in society, they are excluded from certain roles in occupations, and judged specifically in social settings. Even though this inequality is still present in today’s society, there is a stronger push for equality today, “At CSW68, governments, civil society organizations, experts and activists from across the world will come together to agree on actions and investments that can end women’s poverty and advance gender equality” (UN Women). While there is data that shows women’s struggles in societal fields today, it is clear today that more people recognize gender inequality and continue to improve women's