The Changing Roles of Women Chapter 9 Section 4
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 female workers were 18-24. 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 1920ch.11)