World War 2's effect on women in the workplace US/Britain

Name Course Instructor Date WWII'S Effect on Women in the Workplace US/Britain The place of women in the society before WWII was mostly associated with the family and farms, while men tended ended to work outside. The WWII resulted in higher demand for women’s participation as the manufacturing industry expanded (Goldin 742). Additionally, more women found work in the military, food and textile industries. By the WWII women had learned new skills and their participation in the workplace was more appreciated, where the US and Britain faced manpower shortages in some sectors. Women also faced the challenge of working outside their homes in a society still supporting gendered roles with wives as homemakers. The WWII resulted in increased participation and involvement of women in the labor force and call for equality. The governments used propaganda to urge women to participate in the labor force following workers shortage. This was mostly among Americans, when the government and the media highlighted that working women ought to embrace work. Since there were more opportunities and higher wages available to women in the war related industries (Goldin 741-742). However, women were in turn were told to embrace their domestic duties when the men returned from war. The propaganda machine then highlighted that the positions held by women during the war were temporary. Even though, many women lost their jobs there were those who were willing to stay in the workforce. The experiences of women in the military also showed the prevailing beliefs about the role of women in the society. The military is one of the institutions associated with male exclusivity, and there were questions that the women were not well prepared to take the same responsibilities. At the same time, the modern military required diversified personnel including nurses and switch board operators, jobs that were mostly for women. Increased acceptance of women participation cannot be underestimated in advancing the role of women in the workplace, even as they were attached to their traditional roles. Women were able to prove themselves despite skepticism among employers and male workers, and they were able to break barriers in the workplace (Zimmerman). As more men enlisted in the army both Britain and the US faced labor shortages, since the steady supply of men who had experience were now in the army. The demand for labor also increased as industries required improved production. Before WWII war production was virtually nonexistent in America, while the Axis powers had made tremendous progress. In 1943, the US war production had risen substantially and rivaled that of rivals, and women contributed towards this (Zimmerman). Even as previously unemployed men were absorbed in the workforce, there was still a need to rely on women laborers to combat the workers shortage. There were profound changes in the labor force since single women were more likely to work that married women, but then the governments even targeted the married women to fill jobs left vacant by the men. The opportunities available for British and American were more open unlike before, while they were encouraged to pursue them. Even though, women were primarily homemakers prior to WWII, there was increased support for their participation in the industrial workforce (Zimmerman). Additionally, women worked in the low wage-occupations including clerical work, personal service as well as non-durable goods. The increased participation of women in the workforce extended to non-traditional industries especially manufacturing, trade and finance production. The entry of women into better paid manufacturing jobs and industries requiring highs skills highlighted the changing nature of their work. However, the women were also recruited as temporary workers as it was assumed that the men would come and take over the jobs again. Resistance against women participation in the labor force was mostly felt in the manufacturing industries that were dominated by men prior to WWII especially the shipbuilding industry (Zimmerman). Even though, the return of the male soldiers led to job losses among female workers, there was a belief that women also adjusted well to the workplace. For women who previously had no work experience, the opportunity to work opened up their world to work in the manufacturing industry (Fernandez, Fogli and Olivetti 7). The women were not merely homemakers but also steel workers. The manufacturing workplace was created for the men, and the women had to find their way. Even the safety issues and gear were made to be used by male workers, and the entry of women in male dominated jobs meant that there were adjustments in the workplace to accommodate women. Even when working in the male dominated fields, women achieved some of their aspirations challenging the notion that they were only good as homemakers. Women also increasingly sought work to support war efforts as more of them served in uniform while volunteering for the women reserve units. The participation of women in the army opened opportunities for them to work in clerical jobs while the men were in active duty. The situation also called for their involvement in repairing military aircrafts working as technicians and radio operators. These were jobs that would previously have been unavailable for them. Female nurses played a crucial role in caring to the wounded jobs. Even though, only a small proportion of women were in the battle frontline, their participation was valuable to the success of the Allies during WWII. This was historic since men and women collaborated on a large scale more than ever before. Nonetheless veteran women still faced challenges to find suitable jobs after the war ended and in accessing benefit programs for the service men. Since WWII allowed more women to work their input in the workplac...