WOMEN IN THE INTERWAR YEARS
I.CHANGES IN SOCIETY THAT AFFECTED WOMEN
1.GENERAL REMARKS
A.RIGHT TO VOTE,
B.EQUAL EDUCATION,
C.CHANGES IN FASHION
D.ALL GAVE MANY EUROPEAN WOMEN REAL GAINS TOWARD
EQUALITY & FREEDOM
E.BUT POST WWI ALSO WITNESSED A REASSERTION OF TRADITIONAL
LIMITS ON WOMEN'S LIVES
F.THUS A REAL DICHOTOMY IN STATUS OF WOMEN IN ERA BETWEEN
THE WARS
G.AFTER GREAT WAR EUROPE WANTED TO RETURN TO GOOD OLD
DAYS
H.BUT TWO OPPOSING TRENDS AFFECTED WOMEN;S LIVES
I.FIRST - THIS RETURN TO LIFE AS IT WAS, AN IDEALIZED VERSION
J.WHEN PATRIARCHAL FAMILY ETC. EXISTED
K.TO 2ND TREND
a.THIS MOVEMENT TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY & MODERN WAY OF
DOING THINGS
b.THIS 2ND TREND CREATED MODERN HOUSEWIFE WHILE FIRST
L.NEW RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN NOW
M.CHANGES ABOUNDED IN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
SEXES TOO
N.MAN COULD NOW TAKE A GIRL OUT TO A DANCE W/O A CHAPERON
O.BE HER PARTNER FOR THE WHOLE EVENING
P.WHERE BEFORE NOT PROPER TO DANCE MORE THAN ONCE W/SAME
PARTNER
Q.SUBJECT OF SEX NOW OPENLY DISCUSSED BETWEEN PEOPLE
R.AS WELL AS APPEARING IN NEWSPAPERS
S.SAW GROWING ATTACKS ON REPRESSIVENESS OF PRESUMED
VICTORIAN VALUES
T.INCREASED AWARENESS & TOLERANCE OF CONTRACEPTION
a.MID-VICTORIAN TIMES (19TH C.) ESTIMATED ONLY 20% WOMEN
PRACTICED CONTRACEPTION
b.BY 1920'S IN GERMANY, G.B. & SCANDINAVIA PROTESTANT
COUNTRIES
(1)CONTRACEPTION AVAILABLE THROUGH DOCTORS
c.BY 1939 75% MARRIED WOMEN USED SOME FORM
CONTRACEPTIVES
U.BUT ABORTION ROUTINELY TURNED TO WHEN ALTERNATIVE IN
BEARING CHILD LESS DESIRABLE
V.IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE HOW WIDESPREAD USE OF ABORTION
WAS
W.IN BERLIN BETWEEN 1911 & 1913 DR. MAX MARCUSE QUESTIONED 100
WORKING CLASS MARRIED WOMEN
X.FOUND THAT 64% HAD USED SOME FORM OF CONTRACEPTION
a.40% HAD AT LEAST ONE ABORTION
Y.CONTEMPORARY OBSERVERS IN 19TH & 20TH CENTURIES OFTEN
CLAIMED THAT OF ALL CONCEPTIONS
2
a.1/3 TO 1/2 ABORTED
b.BUT IMPOSSIBLE TO VALIDATE CLAIMS
Z.IN MOST COUNTRIES MIDDLE AND UPPER CLASS WOMEN APPEARED
TO HAVE HAD GREATER SUCCESS WITH CONTRACEPTION THAN
POOR WOMEN
AA.THEY OFTEN RELIED ON RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE QUININE
PESSARIES, SYRINGES & CONDOMS
BB.WHICH LIKE ABORTOFACIENTS ADVERTISED IN WOMEN;S
MAGAZINES, ETC.
CC.ALTHOUGH MALE DOCTORS WROTE BOOKS & PAMPHLETS ON
BIRTH CONTROL FROM EARLY 19TH C.
DD.FIRST PRACTICAL & SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO PROVIDE MASSES OF
WOMEN WITH CONTRACEPTION
EE.DID NOT COME UNTIL WOMEN THEMSELVES LED WAY
FF.IN YEARS BETWEEN 2 WORLD WARDS
GG.FEW NORTHERN EUROPEAN NATIONS ALLOWED CONTRACEPTION
TO BE DISPENSED IN LIMITED WAYS
HH.FIRST BIRTH CONTROL CLINIC IN EUROPE
a.HOLLAND 1881
b.BUT NOT LEGAL
c.DR. ALETTA JACOBS
d.FIRST WOMAN DOCTOR IN NETHERLANDS'
II.FIRST BIRTH CONTROL CLINIC IN ENGLAND
a.OPENED IN 1921
b.MARIE STOPES
c.DID SURVEY OF CONTRACEPTIVE PRACTICES
d.COITUS INTERRUPTUS OUT OF 814 CASES
(1)81.82% FAILURE RATE
e.CONDOMS
(1)198 CASES FAILURE RATE 75.25%
f.110 HAD USED QUININE PESSARY
(1)FAILURE RATE OF 98.18%
g.62% HAD USED VARIOUS CERVICAL CAPS
(1)85.48 FAILURE
h.18 USED SPONGE
(1)73.20% FAILURE
i.12 HAD USED SAFE PERIOD
(1)100% FAILURE
j.8 HAD USED NURSING
(1)100% FAILURE
JJ.BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT WOMEN WHO CAME TO STOPES' CLINIC DID
SO BECAUSE THEY WANTED MORE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF BIRTH
CONTROL
KK. SO THEIR FAILURE RATE PROBABLY HIGHER THAN AVERAGE
LL.BUT IN 1923 GOVERNMENT PREVENTED FEMINISTS FROM
DISTRIBUTING CONTRACEPTIVE PAMPHLET TO POOR WOMEN IN
EAST LONDON ON GROUNDS OF OBSCENITY
MM.BUT NEXT YEAR FIRST LABOR GOVERNMENT CAME INTO POWER
NN.& ALLOWED PAMPHLET TO BE PRINTED
OO.LABOR WOMEN FORMED "WORKERS' BIRTH CONTROL GROUP"
PP.PRESSED FOR CONTRACEPTION USING SLOGAN
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a.IT IS FOUR TIMES AS DANGEROUS TO BEAR A CHILD AS TO
WORK IN A MINE AND MINING IS MAN';S MOST
DANGEROUS TRADE
QQ.IN 1930 GOVERNMENT CONTRACEPTIVE ADVICE COULD BE GIVEN IF
REQUESTED
RR.FOLLOWING YEAR CHURCH OF ENGLAND ALLOWED
CONTRACEPTION IN CERTAIN MARITAL SITUATIONS
SS.UNFORTUNATELY NONE OF METHODS OFFERED BY THESE EARLY
CLINICS TOTALLY RELIABLE
TT.PLUS ABORTION & IN SOME COUNTRIES EVEN ADVOCACY OF BIRTH
CONTROL OR DISSEMINATION OF CONTRACEPTIVE
INFORMATION OR DEVICES ILLEGAL
UU.IN YEARS BETWEEN WWI & WWII ORGANIZED EFFORTS IN MANY
COUNTRIES TO HAVE THESE LAWS REVOKED
VV.& MAKE BIRTH CONTROL MORE AVAILABLE TO POOR WOMEN
WW.WHEN SECOND WW BROKE OUT OPEN PRACTICE OF BIRTH
CONTROL HAD BECOME RESPECTABLE IN PROTESTANT
COUNTRIES
XX.ABORTIONS STILL COMMON PARTICULARLY AMONG POORER
CLASSES
YY.MANY ASSOCIATED ABORTION W/MARXISM & COMMUNISM AS
SOVIET UNION 1ST EUROPEAN NATION TO LEGALIZE ABORTION
IN 1920
a.LATER ON STALIN 1936 OUTLAWED ABORTION HAS HAD
BECOME CHIEF METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION
ZZ.STILL ILLEGAL PRE WWII IN ENGLAND FOR DOCTOR TO END
PREGNANCY OF WOMAN UNLESS HER LIFE WAS IN DANGER
AAA.NOT UNTIL AFTER WWII LAWS WILL BE RELAXED ON ABORTION
BBB.BUT AS WOMEN WERE PURSUING MORE EFFECTIVE METHODS OF
CONTRACEPTIVE
CCC.REWARDS GIVEN BY GOVERNMENT TO WOMEN FOR BEARING
LARGE NUMBERS OF CHILDREN
a.NEEDED TO REPLACE THOSE KILLED IN WAR
b.PLUS 50% DECLINE IN FERTILITY
c.LIKE MALE WARRIOR HONORED FOR FEATS OF BRAVERY
d.METALS GIVEN BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU
BORE
DDD.IN FRANCE
a.BRONZE MEDAL FOR 5-7 CHILDREN
b.SILVER FOR 8-10
c.OVER TEN GOLD (REALLY VERMEIL (GILDED BRONZE)
d.MOTHER'S DAY HOLIDAY PROCLAIMED AS WELL
EEE.IN GERMANY
a.GOVT LOANS FOR MARRIED COUPLES IF WIFE DID NOT WORK
OUTSIDE HOME
b.CONTRACEPTIVES OUTLAWED
c.RACIALLY DESIRABLE COUPLES COULD ERASE THEIR LOANS IF
HAD 4 CHILDREN
d."HONOR CROSS OF GERMAN MOTHER" GIVEN FOR 4 OR MORE
CHILDREN
e.& MEMBERS OF HITLER YOUTH & ARMED FORCES INSTRUCTED
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TO SALUTE A WOMAN WEARING 1 OF THESE
MOTHERHOOD MEDALS
FFF.IN ITALY
a.YOU GOT TO MEET MUSSOLINI IF YOU BORNE 14-19 CHILDREN
b.ALTHOUGH EVIDENCE SHOWS NO INCREASE IN NUMBER OF
CHILDREN AS RESULT
2.MORE CHANGES REGARDING WOMEN'S APPEARANCE
A.IN TANDEM WITH NEED OR PERCEIVED NEED FOR MORE CHILDREN IN
EUROPE
B.IMAGE OF EROTIC WOMAN DEVELOPED ITS CONTEMPORARY
INTENSITY DURING THESE YEARS
C.PUBLICIZED & OFFICIALLY ENCOURAGED BECAUSE IT COULD LEAD
TO REPRODUCTION
D.BY 1920'S FASHION OF SUNTANS & MORE COLORFUL COMPLEXIONS
E.REPLACED CENTURIES OLD CULTURAL PREFERENCE FOR PALE OR
WHITE SKIN
F.TAN NOW STOOD FOR HEALTH
G.PEOPLE OF ALL CLASSES WENT TO BEACHES
H.BECAUSE MORE OF BODY REVEALED BECAUSE OF CLOTHING
I.PEOPLE BECAME MORE CONSCIOUS OF NUANCES OF ITS
APPEARANCES
a.SHINY NOSES
b.FACIAL PORES
c.FRECKLES
d.ACNE
e.WRINKLES
f.BAGS
g.ETC. WERE OF CONCERN FOR INCREASING NUMBERS OF
WOMEN
J.SOAP BECAME IMPORTANT CONSUMER PRODUCT
a.WITH INTENSIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS
b.TO GET PEOPLE TO BUY SOAP
c.ADVERTISERS PROMISED THAT USING IT WOULD BRING
(1)FINANCIAL SUCCESS, LOVE AND HAPPINESS
K.IN POST WAR PERIOD DOCTORS BEGAN TO PERFORM
a.COSMETIC SURGERY ON FACES, BREASTS & HIPS
b.AS FASHION DEMANDED LESS COVERING CORSETING &
COIFFEURING
L.TIME WHEN MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS BECAME MAJOR CONSUMER
ITEM
3.CHANGES IN STATUS OF WOMEN REGARDING WORK PLACE
A.ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIMENTS IN AUSTRIA, SOVIET UNION,
GERMANY SWITZERLAND & SWEDEN WORKED TO MODERNIZE
HOUSE ITSELF
B.TO MAKE IT AIRY, SUNNY & HEALTHY
C.DETAILED MOLDINGS, ORNATE FIXTURES, ALCOVES, ETC.
DISAPPEARED FROM POST WAR DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
D.STOVES OF GAS OR ELECTRICITY BEGAN REPLACING COAL OR WOOD
ONES
E.THESE NEW APPLIANCES ELIMINATED MOST STRENUOUS ASPECTS OF
KITCHEN WORK
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a.HAULING FUEL & ICE
b.& IMPROVING REGULATION OF TEMPERATURE FOR COOKING
F.ELECTRICITY STARTED TO TRANSFORM WASHING & IRONING,
COOKING, ETC.
G.WHILE VACUUM CLEANER HAD APPEARED BEFORE WWI
H.NOW CAME INTO WIDESPREAD USE
I.ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR SERVANTS USE IN MIDDLE & UPPER
CLASS HOMES
J.MANY LABOR SAVING APPLIANCES BECAME WIDELY POPULAR
AMONG MIDDLE CLASS WOMEN WHO NO LONGER HAD
SERVANTS
K.KITCHEN AS WHOLE BEGAN TO LOOK MORE LIKE LABORATORY
L.FROM BAUHAUS SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
M.KITCHENS NOW WHITE & FIRST TIME HUNG CUPBOARDS FOR EASE &
ACCESS
N.WHETHER OR NOT APPLIANCES RAISED STANDARDS FOR HOME
CLEANLINESS & COMFORT
O.& THEREFORE INCREASED DEMANDS ON HOUSEWIVES' TIME IS
QUESTION THAT STILL PROVOKES DEBATE
P.HOWEVER PUBIC IMAGES OF HOUSEWIFE PERPETUATED SIGNIFICANT
ILLUSION
a.THAT SHE WAS NOT WORKING
b.ON ASSEMBLY LINE WHERE REAL WORK OCCURRED
c.HOUSEWIFE'S ACTIVITIES SAID TO BE CRAFTLIKE &
ESSENTIALLY PLEASURABLE
Q.CHAIN DEPARTMENT STORES SOLD TO PEOPLE OF VERY MODEST
INCOME GREW FAST
R.FOLLOWING ON HEALS OF DEPARTMENT STORES LIKE BON MARCHE
S.BY END OF 1930'S MODERN WOMAN PORTRAYED AS SOMEONE WHO
HAD ELIMINATED OLD-FASHIONED STOVES
T.& OLD FASHIONED DOMESTIC HELP
U.WHO USED CANNED FOODS OR HEALTHIER ONES LIKE RAW
VEGETABLES
V.WHO WAS AN EXPERT IN DO-IT-YOURSELF WAYS OF RUNNING
HOUSEHOLD
W.BY THIS TIME BEGINNING OF TOTAL ISOLATION OF MIDDLE CLASS
WOMEN IN THEIR HOUSES
X.SO AS MIDDLE CLASS LOST DOMESTIC SERVICE IT GAIN MACHINES
Y.AFTER WAR EXCEPT IN SOVIET RUSSIA, WOMEN REMOVED FROM
MALE JOBS THEY HAD TAKEN UP IN WARTIME
Z.GOVTS NOW USED MIXTURE OF PENALTIES & REWARDS TO STOP
WOMEN FROM WORKING FOR PAY OUTSIDE HOME
AA.& TO OPEN UP THEIR JOBS FOR THE MEN
BB.LIKE IN GB MOST WORKING WOMEN & VIRTUALLY ALL MARRIED
WOMEN BARRED FROM GETTING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
CC.POPE PIUS XI IN 1931 CALLED FOR END TO MARRIED WOMEN'S
EMPLOYMENT
DD.ON GROUNDS IT DEBASED WOMANLY CHARACTER & DIGNITY OF
MOTHERHOOD
EE.AS ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WORSENED UNDER GREAT DEPRESSION,
FF.WOMEN'S WORK OUTSIDE HOME INCREASINGLY BLAMED AS CAUSE
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OF MEN'S UNEMPLOYMENT