Blog #12

1.World War II challenged and reinforced gender stereotypes for women in quite a few ways. During World War II the Women’s Army Corps attracted many female recruits to join the war effort. Some of the jobs that broke the gender barrier for women were mechanics and welders. Jobs that reinforced the female stereotype were the more monotonous jobs such as clerks and telephone operators. Women also gave a great helping hand to the war effort with their nursing duties.

2.Among the longest lasting results of WWII for women and their families was a new found sense of independence for women stemming from the high percentage of females belonging to the labor force. Even after the post-war layoffs, women would go on to hold a large part in the labor force and increase their confidence and independence simultaneously. Also, birth rates continued to rise during this time since a higher household income allowed for the support of more and more children.

1.In no way were women’s work opportunities limited due to their gender. Women had the exact same chances at pay and positions as the men did at the factory. However, this would come at the price at being treated just like the men. Being treated like a man meant working graveyard shifts, sometimes double shifts, and even working during important holiday vacation times.

2.It seems to be impossible to say that this article is geared towards either men or women, or any particular set of individuals. So I must have to say it presents itself to the overall public. It shows women what they will be facing in the labor force and the inevitable fact of layoffs when the war is over. However, it also gives men a sense of security knowing that their jobs will be there for them when they get back home and that their women will be back running the household.

3.To summarize the women’s attitude towards their work in one word, I would have to say respectful. They understood that it needed to be done, and they stepped up to the plate and gave it their best shot. They knew it was something they were doing for their country, for their families and friends, and for themselves. They bear with the hard work, the manual labor, grueling schedules just as men would when asked of them. Their patriotism showed greatly in their effort for their country.

4.The article suggests that the women retain a portion of their femininity even while working in the factory by still doing household chores such as cooking for themselves and/or one another. Some were even said to be wearing bright nail polish and ignoring the fact that their hands are sore. The article does not put a great emphasis on women displaying their femininity, but it shows the reader that women are going to have their own style no matter what kind of environment they are placed into.

5.When the war ends the women understand and sort of embrace the notion that everything will go back to how it was, meaning that the men would come back home and take their jobs back. Some will go on to get married and start families and get back to their household chores while others will advance in their current field of work.