Essay Sample on First World War: Little Impact on Women in British Society

Introduction

There have been a number of studies that have tried to analyze the impact of the First World War on women in British society. However, despite the extensive research and literature, it cannot be said that the impact, especially on women, was extensive. Most people assert that war had destructive effects; they see war as a locomotive of history. This is because the counter-attack is mounted by the greater force that led to economic reorganization and the emergence of collectivism. In addition, others highlight that war formed emotional hysteria hence attracting a supreme challenge to society. This paper will analyze and demonstrate the impact the First World War had on women in Great Britain in terms of employment and changes in social attitudes about women.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The First World War of (1914-1918) saw an impetus impact on women in terms of employment. While men were busy in the war, the banking industry created permanent positions for women who were previously treated as compliments or substitutes of men. First World War led to the creation of more job opportunities for Britain women something that enhanced their standards of living (Seltzer 6). The banks in Britain increased the applicant pool hence increasing the number of staff they employed. The high number of women they employed were responsible for the new braches they planned to open as a result of the First World War. The new branches absorbed a few clerks something that resulted in the high number of managerial positions, which were occupied by women.

Also, the majority of women occupied elite positions at various workstations, as compared to clerical jobs, which they used to occupy (Hogg 26). Women with careers were promoted to senior positions at their workplaces and research shows that they performed better as well as men could do in their respective jobs. The salaries per occupational works women performed during the First World War were higher as compared to what they were paid traditionally. They received full-time earnings depending on the labor they offered. Their earnings also were dependent on the hours they worked since the demand for women's labor was high. The potential and financial outlooks shifted from the stereotypical pedigree. They even created a new law, which removed all restrictions for demand of women labor because they wanted to work on equal basis.

Impact of World War 1 on the Changes of Social Attitudes About Women in Great Britain

There was significant change in social attitudes regarding women in Great Britain, especially during World War 1 (Marwick 51-52). One area that witnessed a great change is gender roles. The participation of women in the labor market augmented at a rapid rate since most of the men were engaged in the war (Marwick 54-55). By the 1940s, approximately one-third of British women over 16 years worked in jobs that were considered for "males" (Marwick 59-60). Women were being hired as cheap workforce in the new industries, and this brought a lot of concern on the trade unions that were led by men (Marwick 54). The society then was still male-dominated, and that is why most trade unions led by men held the notion that women should be confined to household work, and raising the children.

Prior to World War 1, society defines a woman's role to be within the confines of his home. Public life, including politics was mainly seen as for men only. It was perceived that once women join politics; they would abscond their roles at home (Grayzel n.p). However, during the war, women started to experience some progress. A number of laws were amended to enhance their standing (Grayzel n.p). Females had augmented rights over property and children in an instance of divorce. The implementation of the Education Act of 1918 allowed women to receive more formal education that helped them secure jobs in the civil service sector (Grayzel n.p).

During the war, the biggest number of females were hired to work in factories. The National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) halted its political campaign and provided its full cooperation with the government to ensure that the rights of females in Great Britain were fully observed (Marwick 53-55). As women continued to enjoy the chance of securing jobs at the factory, the rental prices started to augment in industrial zones around Glasgow.

This prompted a strike, where local women formed an organization to resist rental rises. The radicalization of women against hiked rental prices encouraged male factory workers to stage a protest due to wage increases putting the government under immense pressure (Marwick 54-55). On the other hand, the government responded in a positive manner by enacting the Rent Restriction Act (Marwick 54-55). The law was meant to freeze the augmented rental prices, and it helped to cool the strike, allowing for production to continue smoothly within different factories.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the paper has analyzed how the effects of the First World War impacted women in the employment sector and changes in social attitudes towards them. The war provided a positive impact on women in terms of employment as they were able to in factories as cheap laborers, while men were at war. Most women got the opportunity to work in prominent positions within different workstations, as opposed to clerical jobs, which they used to do. The war also brought positive effects on women in terms of how they were perceived within society. A number of laws were amended to enforce their rights, and particularly the Education Act of 1918 allowed women to receive more formal education that helped them secure jobs in the civil service sector.

Works Cited

Grayzel, Susan. "Changing Lives: Gender Expectations and Roles During and After the World War One in Britain (2014). Retrieved from: https://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/changing-lives-gender-expectations

Hogg, Sallie Heller. "The employment of women in Great Britain 1891-1921." (1967). Retrieved from: https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:3f61ec5c-260c-44cb-b9ff-60e171068e20/download_file?file_format=pdf&safe_filename=The%2BEmployment%2Bof%2BWomen%2Bin%2BGreat%2BBritain%2B1891-1921.pdf&type_of_work=Thesis

Marwick, Arthur. "The impact of the First World War on British society." Journal of Contemporary History 3.1 (1968): 51-63. Retrieved from: https://web.viu.ca/davies/H482.WWI/Marwick.BritishHomeFront.WWI.pdf

Seltzer, Andrew. "The impact of female employment on male wages and careers: evidence from the English banking industry, 1890-1941." (2012). Retrieved from: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/62533/1/718168429.pdf