the Role of Women in WWII

Although World War II offered the opportunity for women to show the country what they can do, (and they did it), once the men came back from war, they were expected to assume their roles once again as homemakers.

Some argue that society changed their views on women's roles in the workforce after the war. Women took jobs as mechanics, factory workers, gas station attendants and farmers. Their work was evidence that women an do what a man can do. Those who argue this, believe that World War II began the women's movement and opened the door to women accepted in the work force.

But others feel that American society didn't really change their views of the role women played during the war. Women were still in a supporting role. There were limitations on the jobs that women could take during the war.

"These range from the exclusion of women from powerful policy-making bodies
in government through war contractors' resistance to viewing women workers
as permanent hires to the refusal of unions adequately to defend women's
rights during re-conversion."

The traditions role of women as a husband's supporter was simply extended to supporting her husband by working his job. The limitations were placed on women because they women were simply doing their part to support the men over seas as protecting the homeland economically.