womens rights Essays (613 words) - Office Work, Sexism,

Throughout many years preceding World War I, many women were not happy with their jobs. In 1870 most women worked in the agriculture of their homes, or did domestic service. Even by 1910 though, more women were already working in factories, offices, stores and telephone exchanges. As opposed to 14.8% in 1870, 24% of women were now working in 1910. The practices of withdrawing from work once married and only returning when necessary (i.e. husband?s salary decreased, laid off, injured, desertion) was unfortunately still being widely accepted and practiced. The birth of modern corporations began to change the location and nature of women?s paid labor and was an important factor in the advancement of women?s labor (Greenwald 5). Multi plant firms began to transform the structure of business, as well as adding an element of elementary competition. There were still although a few financial giants, created by vital industries, such as John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Swift, Borden, whose practices ultimately determined how people lived, and what they bought (Greenwald 7). As large factories increasingly began to replace older and smaller factories, skilled work became less needed and women even started to make goods as machine tenders. Already, this reorganization was improving women?s status in the work force. There was although a great deal of gender segregation, women were low paid and restricted to unskilled and semiskilled jobs, usually in textile mills, food processing, apparel, tobacco factories, and commercial laundries. Men of course were given jobs concerning transportation and heavy industry. Unfortunately, as heavy industry became increasingly important, it resulted in fewer opportunities for women because companies were hiring more men. Another factor of unfairness was the fact that women were barred from apprenticeship programs resulting in the loss of better-paid and more sophisticated jobs in the metal industry (Greenwald 11). World War I though would provide a great opportunity for women to get ahead and although the movement into the work force was already underway, and it would certainly provide as a stimulus. As a result of World War I and changing social views, women?s role and place in American Society changed greatly. The results of World War I on women?s place in society can be seen clearly in statistical evidence. Between 1910-1920 there was a dramatic increase in women in offices as clerks and in semi-skilled jobs, such as typists, cashiers, and typists. At the same time although, there was a decrease of women cleaners, tailoresses, dressmakers and servants. As the men began to leave for war from America, more women began to work, the substantial change although was not the number of new entrants in the work force, but the numbers of women changing jobs and the new opportunities being opened to them. Many women decided to change jobs in hopes of better opportunities. Increased job standardization, specialization of work and increasing supervision resulted in making many jobs interchangeable. Women cashiers for instance would become fare collectors or retail workers would move to office work. This was called skill dilution and it enabled workers to move from one area to another. As the war progressed there was a greater need for American War materials, and after the 2nd draft of men in late summer, the male workforce was greatly decreased. Companies began to beg for workers, especially those that had contracts to fill and war resources to supply. Businesses realized the number of women who could work and began to print ads saying ?Women Wanted?. Bridgeport munitions even distributed flyers from an airplane urging women to leave their homes and work. This created many new opportunities for women, and they soon realized that. As women changed jobs and took over those formally done by white men, black women took the opportunity to do those formally of white women. This was the first time a white woman could chose her job, and she t...