The Changing Roles of Women Chapter 9 Section 4

Women Working Women began to make their way into professional jobs such as: –education –healthcare –social work.

Debate Over Equality Women’s rights advocates: Women should be allowed to –Vote –Control their own property & income –Have access to higher education –Obtain professional jobs Counterargument: –Destroys their femininity –Upsets the social order

Reality Many worked at home / on farm. –Young women, though, increasingly left for cities to work in factories. –Others helped establish volunteer organizations. Technological Advances made house work easier. –Vacuum cleaners, etc.

Shopping Stores & mail order catalogs. –Advertising aimed at women Department stores (Macy’s, etc.) Chain stores (Woolworth, etc.) Farms offered RFD by USPS (Rural Free Delivery)

Outside the Home Many thought working & married life wouldn’t mix. –Most were and single. –Wages were 40-70% of men’s wages. –Women didn’t have the mental capacity.

Volunteering Many women volunteered instead. –Temperance –Girls’ education –New libraries & playgrounds Valuable experience was gained. –Speaking –Writing –Finance

The New Woman Shorter hairstyles, more practical attire (skirts, blouses) Dating now consisted of going out (without parental supervision) Divorce rate –1900 = 1 in 12 –1916 = 1 in 9 Still no right to vote (until 1920 ch.11 )