Textbook: Chapter 8

1. During World War II women took on new jobs to help with the labor force, but they were stereotyped even so. They took on these new roles in the workforce and proved themselves they were able to do work like men. Women began working in factories as welders and mechanics since the men that normally did these jobs were off in combat. Women were involved in military organizations and many were recruited to them. Women involved themselves in organizations such as the Women's Army Corps and Women's Airforce Service Pilots. Women, however, were not allowed to fight in actual combat, even though they were allowed to make the tools the men in combat were using. Women were stereotyped because, even though they were in the work place, most of their jobs were domestic. They worked as clerks and nurses, jobs that men were not often found in. Publicizing these jobs made women look less masculine in their war efforts.

2. Many things resulted in the wake of World War II. For instance, many young couples were marrying because no one knew if their loved one would be coming home or not. After the war, these couples began families and a rise in birth rates took place. A rise in deaths also took place for many men did not come home from the war. Since so many men were off fighting, women took their places in the work force and found themselves a new sense of independence. Many women continued working even after the war ended, continuing their independence. After the war women and their families began to expand and grow and women began a rein of new found independence.

Source Interpretation

1.Women's work opportunities were not limited because of their gender. Women were really needed during this time since so many men were away. They were needed so badly that the government enticed the women with propaganda. Women were able to make the same amount as men had been making, but women would need to work just as hard as the men did. That included around the clock shifts and graveyard shifts.

2. The intended audience is the men. Men in the factories and away at war were unsure about getting their jobs back when they returned. Women were not happy with the way they had to work and the conditions they had to work under. They hoped that the men would return soon and take their jobs back so that they could go back to housework. They admitted that the job was difficult and rather be at home.

3. Women were unhappy with their work. They thought their work was to difficult for them. They were happy to do the work, but were concerned with the conditions. They were tired from the graveyard shifts and found it difficult to sleep during the day in the hot city in their one bedroom apartment that they might share with three other girls. At the end of their shifts their bodies ached and their hands were sore from all the physical labor they were doing in order to receive the same wages as men

4. Women were able to keep their femininity in many ways, even though they worked men's jobs on the assembly lines. Women wore nail polish and probably make up to work as well. While at home they cooked meals and cleaned dishes. Women also kept up with conversation with each other. They most likely talked about the latest gossip and news.

5. Many women kept their jobs in the factories, but many women went in different paths. When the soldiers returned from the war, many of them married their girlfriends that had been holding down the labor fort. Those women returned to their domesticated lifestyles of children, cleaning and cooking in the home. They did not enjoy the work on the assembly lines and were happy to return to the home. But many women were not as luck as the ones whose loved ones come home. Many men did not return from the war and this devastated many women.