History Essays

Women In The 1920's

Australian women before the War were polite and modest, but in the 1920's women started appearing wearing short skirts, smoking, swearing and demanding the same rights, freedom and privileges as men. Once the soldiers went to fight in the War, women decided to do the jobs left empty by the men who went to serve. The change from house to work led to a new, independent woman of the 1920's and women behaved in the same manner men had enjoyed for decades. The older generations were more than a little confused by the lifestyles of the new, young and restless ladies.

Once World War One started, women had to fill the jobs left empty by the men who went to serve in the army. But although women were working, they were working for half the pay men received and society frowned upon women who did not stay as a mother and housekeeper. The change from house to workforce gave women financial independence and made them more open-minded and free thinking.

With this newfound independence, women started wearing short skirts, short hairstyles, and smoking, swearing and riding motorcycles. Their new clothing choice was controversial and their habits created a new set of social values and norms. But even after adopting new trends and getting into the workforce, the women were still dominated by the men.

The 1920's were the starting point for women's rights, freedom, privileges and new-founded feminism, but there was no sudden revolution which found women on an equal footing as men. Rights, freedom and privileges were received gradually and much time passed between its acceptance in wider society. The tradition remained that women chose family and home over career and work.