Women In the 50's
Job Opportunities |
Before WWII, women were able to have jobs such as being a typist or a phone operate, but WWII made for many new jobs for women. They were now able to get jobs as laboratory technician that conducted experiments in a lab at a hospital or even an aircraft engine technician. They were able to get more hands on jobs that weren't viewed as lady like before the war.
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Vs.
Social Expectations |
Women were still expected to be perfect housewives for their husbands. There was pressure on them from society to get married at an early age, have many healthy children, and be a nuclear family (a family with a husband, wife, and children). Even with all of the new jobs that were open for women, there were still gender roles that women upheld. The famous TV show Leave it to the Beavers portrayed these gender roles of the time very well. However, many of the house wives were "happy" because they were able to live in the newly formed suburban living in a mass produced house. With the new G.I. bills that was passed in 1944, they were able to afford school for their children and other benefits if their husbands were military.
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Advertising
Advertising was mainly targeted at women during this time. Since they stayed at home for the most part, most of the products were designed to make their lives easier. Products such as Brillo pads, floor wax, the toaster, some types of wall paper, and the laundry machine were made to help women.