During the war, women took on typical male jobs, such as working in air, ship, and tank-building defense businesses. These jobs often involved having them to operate tractors and cranes, as well as having women separate and repeat production processes ("taylorizing"), such as welding. By working in these traditionally male-dominated jobs, this gave women a heightened sense of freedom to go for opportunities that they felt that they typically couldn't be a part of in society. As the war went on, more women started to take over these once-male jobs not only because more men had to be sent to fight in the war and needed people to replace them in the workplace, but also these jobs didn't require a lot of technical expertise and background.
The northern and western part of the US had several job openings in the war industry, such as factory labor. This drew many people, particularly African-Americans, to move to these areas. For instance, in San Francisco's Fillmore District, many Black women were finally given housing and jobs, and this allowed them to feel a sense of relief being there since there were more opportunities for them that would help them live better lives.
The northern and western part of the US had several job openings in the war industry, such as factory labor. This drew many people, particularly African-Americans, to move to these areas. For instance, in San Francisco's Fillmore District, many Black women were finally given housing and jobs, and this allowed them to feel a sense of relief being there since there were more opportunities for them that would help them live better lives.
Toward the end of the war, many women employees were pressured to give away or lost their jobs because the men who fought in the war had returned home and would take over their place. Yet, their experience of doing nontraditional women roles in society influenced women to gain a greater sense of independence, improve their economic status, and play an important role in helping with the US's war efforts.
This was a very good and easy read! I liked that it summarized all of the causes and effects of women working male dominating jobs during the war. I would like to add that after the war, many women did go back to domestic work, but a small portion also stayed to work at banks and clerical jobs. They found a sense of freedom, and knew that no one would limit it to them and so began to pursue dominance in some fields.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Women were a very crucial part of the production workforce during the war mainly because most of the men were out fighting in battles. It is very important to know that production lines and supplies were being circulated because the women took a position in the workforce and covered for the loss of men in those positions previously.
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