What effect did the 1920s have on women?

Answer 1

It is hard to generalise as women made up half of the population. pre 1920s they were expected to lead restricted lives. (behave politely, wear no make up, not take part in sports, wear sensible clothes ect.) However during the 1920s things began to change especially for urban and middle class women. Because of the war many women gained experience from work as they took over the mens jobs. They got the vote in all states in 1920. Housework was also made easier because of electrical good such as the vacuum cleaner and washing machine. Behaviour began to ease. Women began to smoke in public, drink with men and wear more daring clothes. They often began to go out with men without a chaperone and they kissed in public. Women began to take on more and more jobs (especially middle class women) Women now had money on their own and so they became a target of advertising. Even women who did not own their own money often became the ones deciding whether to buy new items for their home. Women were less likely to stay in unhappy marriages. Films began to give women a more wide range of models. newspapers, magazines and film industries began to notice that sex sold much better then anything else. However, women were still paid less then men. One reason employment of women increased was because they were cheaper to employ then men. In politics they still were not equal with men. The vote still did not give them political power.