17. Economic change of Women and work after 1865

?
  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 05-06-17 14:10
View mindmap
  • Economic change of Women and work after 1865
    • Considerable expansion of women in labour marker
    • Growing number of free women holding jobs
      • 10% in 1840
      • 15% in 1870
      • 24% in 1924
    • Biggest increase in white collar work and professions
    • South
      • Among freed slaves, problem of making smallholdings pay was so great that women were forced to contribute heavily to agricultural work
    • Biggest change
      • Greater experience of paid work among both single and married women
    • Higher proportion of AA married women than white women
      • Suggests entrapment in traditional patriarchal values more so with black women?
    • As economy grew, child labour declined, more demand for women workers
    • Range of female employment also changed
      • At end of Civil War
        • 60% of female workers were domestic servants
        • 1% white collar workers
      • By 1920:
        • 18% servants
        • Nearly 40% in clerical or professional positions
        • Did not apply to AA women
          • Continued to be employed in factory or domestic work
    • Stereotyped women's work was linked to their domestic, caring concerns predominated even when economic growth widened female workforce
      • Within professional work, teaching and nurse predominated, followed by charity and welfare
    • Large number of women workers growth in union organisation
      • More strikes and demands for better wages and conditions
    • Only 2% of trade unionists women by 1914 despite 25% female employment rates in factories
    • Work gave women independence and background to greater involvement in public affairs and beginning of industrial organisation
    • Most work of traditional areas associated with women:
      • Caring professions
      • Producing garments
      • Domestic service
      • Education and nursing
      • In meeting men's sexual needs
    • Little change in attitude that home was woman's responsibility

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all America - 19th and 20th century resources »