GENDER ROLESThe changing of traditional gender roles in society has been going on for centuries. Traditionally, married women were expected to stay home and take care of their home and start a family. Women today start their families later in life as well as keeping their jobs. More and more women are taking on jobs labeled as 'men's jobs' as the percentage of women in the workplace rise. Women juggle a home life with her traditional expectations as well as her job outside of the home. Women help make an income for the family as well as clean the house, make dinner, and take care of the kids. It has been traditionally the norm for the man to be the one working full time and making the income for the family. The number of men who work full time has gone down from 94% to 83% since 1978. Men are making more time to be home with the family to help out and to spend time with their kids. It is becoming more socially acceptable for men to be involved with helping take care of the kids and responsibilities around the home.
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1900 to 1909- 18.8% of women in work force, worked in factories and mills, unions formed.
1910-1919- 23.4% of women in work force, women began doing jobs previously done by men because of the war (police officers, mechanics, and truck drivers.) 1920-1929- 25% of women working, 30% of these women in clerical or sales. Women paid low wages. 1930-1939- Great depression, women discouraged from taking jobs. 22% in work force. 1940-1949- Number of women working raised from 25-36% because of war. After war they were encouraged to go back to traditional roles. 1950-1959- 35% of women worked, ¼ of married women worked. Women pressured to stay at home, resulted in baby boom. 1960-1969- 43% of women worked, Equal Pay Act passed. 1970-1979- Emphasis to bring women into non-traditional jobs, 43% in work force. 1980-1989- More than 50% of women worked outside the home. 1990-1999- 60% of women worked, making up 46% of the work force. More than 40% of the medical, law and doctorate degrees were earned by women. |