World War 2's effect on women in the workplace US/Britain

Name Course Instructor Date WWII'S Effect on Women in the Workplace US/Britain The place of women in the society before WWII was mostly associated with the family and farms, while men tended ended to work outside. The WWII resulted in higher demand for women’s participation as the manufacturing industry expanded (Goldin 742). Additionally, more women found work in the military, food and textile industries. By the WWII women had learned new skills and their participation in the workplace was more appreciated, where the US and Britain faced manpower shortages in some sectors. Women also faced the challenge of working outside their homes in a society still supporting gendered roles with wives as homemakers. The WWII resulted in increased participation and involvement of women in the labor force and call for equality. The governments used propaganda to urge women to participate in the labor force following workers shortage. This was mostly among Americans, when the government and the media highlighted that working women ought to embrace work. Since there were more opportunities and higher wages available to women in the war related industries (Goldin 741-742). However, women were in turn were told to embrace their domestic duties when the men returned from war. The propaganda machine then highlighted that the positions held by women during the war were temporary. Even though, many women lost their jobs there were those who were willing to stay in the workforce. The experiences of women in the military also showed the prevailing beliefs about the role of women in the society. The military is one of the institutions associated with male exclusivity, and there were questions that the women were not well prepared to take the same responsibilities. At the same time, the modern military required diversified personnel including nurses and switch board operators, jobs that were mostly for women. Increased acceptance of women participation cannot be underestimated in advancing the role of women in the workplace, even as they were attached to their traditional roles. Women were able to prove themselves despite skepticism among employers and male workers, and they were able to break barriers in the workplace (Zimmerman). As more men enlisted in the army both Britain and the US faced labor shortages, since the steady supply of men who had experience were now in the army. The demand for labor also increased as industries required improved production. Before WWII war production was virtually nonexistent in America, while the Axis powers had made tremendous progress. In 1943, the US war production had risen substantially and rivaled that of rivals, and women contributed towards this (Zimmerman). Even as previously unemployed men were absorbed in the workforce, there was still a need to rely on women laborers to combat the workers shortage. There were profound changes in the labor force since single women were more likely to work that married women, but then the governments even targeted the married women to fill jobs left vacant by the men. The opportunities available for British and American were more open unlike before, while they were encouraged to pursue them. Even though, women were primarily homemakers prior to WWII, there was increased...