How much did the First World War change the lives of women in Britain?

STAGE 1: WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE FOR WOMEN IN 1910?

The Wilkinson’s wedding, County Durham, 1910. © Beamish Museum

What was life like for women in 1910? © Beamish Museum

What was life like for women in 1910? Housework for a miner’s wife: “Her day began at 3am when the eldest son took his ‘bait’ (packed lunch) which she had made the night before and went on his shift at the pit at 4. She would then try to snatch an hour’s sleep before preparing breakfast for the younger son whose shift started at 6am. He would no sooner be off than Father would be coming in forbreakfast and a bath, his shift ending at 6am. Next the three children had to be got ready for school. On top of this all the washing had to be done at home as well as baking. There was no bought bread in northern mining villages in those years. This was all baked at home. Not only had Mother to prepare all the meals on the kitched fire, but she had to boil the water for their baths in a pan and kettle, which they took in turns on the hearth in front of the fire.”

What was life like for women in 1910? “Their mother would teach the girls, by action and by words, that they should submit to their fathers, brothers and husbands. Their duty was to feed them well, run their errands and bear all their burdens” - Autobiography of Joseph Ashby, a farm labourer’s son.

What was life like for women in 1910? Girls at school in London learning how to do the family wash Reproduced by special permission of The Women’s Library @ LSE and Mary Evans Picture Library. Strictly not for republication

What was life like for women in 1910? “A girl is not necessarily a better woman if she can do fractions in her head. But she is better fitted for the duties she will be called on to perform if she knows how to wash, look after a child, cook simple food well and thoroughly clean a house” - Schools Inspector, 1874.

What was life like for women in 1910? Many jobs were completely closed to women. Women teachers and nurses had to give up their jobs when they got married. Only one in ten married women had a job. Middle class women did not work. There were almost no nurseries or organised child care: mothers were expected to look after their children full time . 6 million women in Britain had jobs in 1910; 13 million did not work.

Number of women employed What was life like for women in 1910? Type of employment Number of women employed Servants 1,740,800 Teachers 124,000 Nurses 68,000 Doctors 212 Architects 2

What was life like for women in 1910? Domestic servants were well-fed and housed, but wages were low: Cook - £30 a year. Maidservant - £20 a year.

What was life like for women in 1910? Some examples of wages of working men and women: JOB Men’s wages Women’s wages Carpet weaver £1.75 a week £1.00 a week Machinist in tailoring £1.12 a week 55p a week Typist £3.00 a week

What was life like for women in 1910? Women did not have the right to vote. [but nor did 42% of men].

How do you think the war is going to affect women?