Women In The 1930s Research Paper

During the 1930s women is not treated equally and they are very different in many way. Women were less likely to get jobs than men. Fashion is also very different. Women wore plain dresses while men wore blue denim jackets. Women during the Great Depression are actually depressed because they can not get jobs and their wages are half as much as men. Men get good jobs and amazing wages, but at least both still have their fashion.

First of all, women's careers are difficult to get. Employers preferably like men more than woman, so men are more likely to get what they want but not so much for women. Society thinks that men are better than women. The likelihood of a woman getting a job is not very high, because businessmen would hire men before anyone else, “employers tended to hire men rather than women” (Gourley 12). Gourley states in her book that, “A single woman who worked was generally more acceptable than a married woman who worked” (Gourley 12). This quote tells the reader that if a married woman was

working, there would be too much on her mind. A married woman would be thinking about her husband or her kids and how to provide for them, while a single woman working can be carefree because all she is doing is working. It seems like a single woman working is more independent than a married woman: “A 1936 poll in Fortune magazine asked, ‘Do you believe that married woman should have a full time job outside the home?’ Only 15 percent of the respondents approved, while 48 percent disapproved, with the remaining 37 percent giving it conditional approve” (“Working Women in the 1930s”). This tells that women were accused of stealing jobs from men if they had jobs.
Second of all, fashion is very different among men and women. Women wore simple dresses because dresses are comfortable and cute. In this article it says, “everyday wear was the simple print dress made from synthetic material” (“Clothing Design in the 1930s”). Men liked the edgy look, denim jackets, shorts, and even old regular jeans. Buttons on suits can also be an accessory. Also, Jackets went through changes: “Jackets were high-waisted and higher pockets and buttons and short, wide lapels[for men]” (“Clothing Design in the 1930s”). In this quote, they had all the accessories they want: “Hats, pocketbooks, shoes, gloves, and jewelry now helped change the look of a relatively simple suit or dress from one wearing to the next” (“Clothing Design in the 1930s”). Accessories helped men and women with expressing their style. Jewelry makes women stand out because it is shiny, while a man's hat describes his personality, whether it's a baseball hat or a formal hat. Gloves can help when it's cold outside or just a lace glove would give women confidence.
Lastly, wages were very low for women, but not for men.

For example, women experienced struggles concerning money: “The Depression caused women’s wages to drop even lower” (“Working Women in the 1930s”). When women's wages dropped, it made them angry, especially if they have children to provide for. For instance, “women’s average annual pay in 1937 was $525, compared with $1,027 for men” (“Working Women in the 1930s”). This quote shows that women get half as much as men do. There is a huge pay gap, even today you can see a pay gap. The pay gap today would be about 75 cents not half. Society in the 1930s admired men more than women, “[Equal Pay Act] This act mandated that if women and men did the exactly the same job, they should receive exactly the same wage” (Chafe 26). This act made the owners of the stores give wages out equally whether they like it or not. Even if women worked just as hard as men, they would not get enough money to provide for their

needs.
In conclusion, women and men are very different with their wages, careers, and fashion. Today women still get paid less than men, even if they have the same careers. Fashion changed throughout the years, both genders could be wearing the same things for example sweatpants, sweatshirts and jeans. Most people today would agree that women are treated better today than in the 1930s.