American+Women+by+Hoonho+C,+Andrew+K,+Dean+L

toc = **American Women during World War II** =

__Overview__
Though American women were granted with suffrage with 19th Amendment, women were still restricted in their manners and roles in the society. Before World War II started, women's role was extremely limited; they were expected to be good mothers and wives, supporting their husbands and guiding their children to right path for Americans.

__Before World War II__
Before the World War II started, most of the workforce was occupied by men, even during the Great Depression. Colleges and universities began to accept women for higher education; however, women had little or no opportunity to apply their learnings to workplace. The pervasive image of the family was a home with husband outside and small children to care for. Family obligation came to be the priority. The impression from society for women was to contribute to household in various ways, including cleaning, cooking, and raising children.

__During World War II__
The day United States entered World War II in 1942 changed social role of American women permanently. Because of conscription acts, most of the men who occupied the workforce were drafted to combat against Axis Power, leaving factories empty. Thus, American women began to fill in 'empty slots' in the national economy. The female work force increased up to 6.5 million, which was 50% increase. Education also diversified, and the schools prepared the women to become plumbers, welders, carpenters, electricians, and more. However, more jobs didn't mean more tolerance towards laborers' actions. Smith-Connally Anti-Stike Act in June 1943 authorized the federal government to seize and operate the war industries, and strikes against such industries were considered as a criminal offense. During the war, some 216,000 women were employed for noncombat duties, such as WAACs in army, WAVES in navy, and SPARs in Coast Guard.

Here are some famous posters that dealt with increasing opportunities for women

"Rosie the Riveter" drilled the fuselage of a heavy bomber and worked on tank track. She did have her children. Notice how rhetorical question is used. Poster seems to portray that working is of an ethical value.WAVES were women in navy for noncombat duties. It is portrayed as "great opportunity" among the women

**Here are videos at that time with analysis** media type="youtube" key="WhswqZh2Rc4" height="390" width="480" Analysis:

Women at work WWII 1943 media type="youtube" key="TiYbNViJFl0" height="390" width="480"Women During World War II This video provides the changes that took place in women's role in society before and during the World War II. This video also mentions WASP, which is the women air force that carried out noncombat missions. This video has more focus on the women's role in American military. media type="youtube" key="9GarCzR_6Ng" height="390" width="480"Rosie the Riveters of World War II

__Summary__
As women got more involved, they did want to change how the society perceived women. Women wanted to have tantamount rights and opportunities with the males. Women saw that such equality would be achieved through increased participation in 'males' jobs.' Fortunately, discrimination against the women mitigated. World War II not only led the nation to progress for its war efforts, but also helped to define a new role for women. This was the time when women demonstrated their ability to men's work. Nevertheless, the war's immediate impact on women tended to be exaggerated by historians. Majority of women continued to work on traditional roles. As the World War II was brought to the end, 2/3 of women workers stopped their job. Half of them voluntarily quit their job because of family obligations. Although the change was only the beginning, America would experience revolutionary change in women's status in the later postwar period.

__Suggested Readings__
__[|__-http://www.momlogic.com/2009/12/feminist_trade_school_opens_for_teens.php__] __ __[|__-http://www.oberlin.edu/library/special/virtualexhibits/ww2posters/women.html__] [|__-http://www.teacheroz.com/WWIIHomefront.htm__] [|__-http://www.nwhm.org/online-exhibits/partners/1.htm__] [|__-http://womenshistory.about.com/od/warwwii/Women_and_World_War_II.htm__] [|__-http://www.archives.gov/northeast/boston/exhibits/homefront/#women__] __



Bibliography
 "Feminist Trade School Opens for Teens | Momlogic.com." // Mom News, Health, Beauty, Fashion, Celebrity Moms, Baby Names and More | Momlogic.com //. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. ."Guide To Hiring Women During 1943." // Fun Facts //. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. ."Special Collections - Virtual Exhibits - WWII Posters - Women and World War II." // College of Arts and Sciences & Conservatory of Music - Oberlin College //. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. .