Essay On Women In The 1950's And 1960s

Women obviously had a rough start in the early years of The United States. Women were seen as no where near as equal as men--but gaining that right shapes America today. Women have had the biggest impact on America since the 1900s because the progress they have achieved, things they have done, and obstacles they have faced. In the early years of the 1900’s, women were often treated far less than men. They were stay at home wives, cooking, cleaning, and catering to the children.

Jane Addams is often refered to as a social and political pioneer. She seperated herself from what society belived a women should do and created many radical changes for that time period. Many of her fellow friends, characterized as going crazy and too hopeful. But in the years later to come, Jane Addams would redefine what a women can and should do. She once said, “Old-fashioned ways which no longer apply to changed conditions are a snare in which the feet of women have always become readily entangled” (JaneAddams).

In the last seventy years, women in America have made great strides toward equality, which has dramatically changed their role in society. In days that seem long past, women were expected to be doting mothers, immaculate housekeepers, and submissive wives. These roles were the primary, if not only, responsibilities of any woman prior to the 1940s. However, since the post-war era, the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of women have evolved in leaps and bounds. In the first half of the twentieth century, women were not wanted, or needed, to be a part of the workforce.

The Roaring Twenties was a prime era for women. Because of the toils of many strong women, ideals were flipped on their head, to America’s benefit. In the late 1800’s, two women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, quickly realized that women would not be able to share their political views unless given the right to vote. Because of the fact that women had basically no other societal roles besides housework, they were not respected during this time period. So the two women teamed up and spent the rest of their lives fighting for the women’s suffrage movement.

Empress Theodora and Queen Elizabeth Essay Throughout history women have often played a significant role,although women haven’t usually been in a position of power, they have none-the-less, often contributed in significant ways. Queen Elizabeth and Empress Theodora both impacted their societies. A woman who impacted her society was Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire. She impacted her society in many different ways one of the ways she impacted her society was when she influenced Justinian to make changes in the law to help protect women and children. Instead of people abandoning infants, mostly girls Justinian had laws to established hospitals,orphanages,and care facilities.

The need breed of woman wanted to be accepted by the older generation, who often judged and disagreed with their new lifestyle. (doc 6. Flappers Appeal to Parents) Clara Bow, a successful film star of her time and hard-partying flapper, was the first to earn the title of an “It Girl” and was also remembered for her humble and hardworking demeanor. (Doc 7. Clara Bow) Another notable female figure during the twenties was Aimee Semple McPherson, who influenced society in a much different way than Clara Bow.

Thus, it is necessary to conclude that women have always played an important role in the development of history. History that involves women has been developed throughout the centuries, constantly changing its goals and forms, increasing the popularity movement of the American women in the late 1800’s. Women were discriminated for many things for a very long time, it wasn’t until the late 1800’s that women actually started to gain very few rights. The late 1800’s is very important time for women as it gets the movement started for Women’s Suffrage, and ultimately the late 1800’s starts to open the way for equality for women and

Also in the novel are feminist beliefs that run society. These can be seen in the reliance on women in general because even though females no longer partake in the economy or politics, they are essential to the development of the world through producing children. Nurses also hold the same amount of power as Commanders and Wives command their households, so there are themes of influential women. Overall, Gilead is able to achieve a conservative frame of government while also having a liberal, feminist underlining. The Handmaid’s Tale addresses many controversial topics in society, such as women’s rights and changing how the government is run.

Standing up for themselves influenced many other women to take part in this action. Since the late 1800s and early 1900s, social expectations of women have changed in the way they are portrayed, but the expectations have changed slightly in today’s view. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, social expectations for women played a crucial part in society. For example, young women were expected to get married and have children. Obedience and loyalty were the main components of marriage.

Feminism is a word that has changed over time, it is not fixed, but has a broad meaning. It has been used in conjunction with liberal, socialist, radical, cultural, spiritual, black, multicultural, and plenty others. Eventually, the Women’s Liberation Movement adopted the term feminist because is was simple and appealing. The term has now gained the basic meaning of women engaging in activities to foster their development. Today, the causes of the term being notorious are the numerous campaigns that have arisen.