Overview of Women’s Rights in The 1930’s

Overview of Women’s Rights in The 1930’s

The 1930s was a very interesting time for society, for many reasons. For example, gender discrimination still continued. The Great Depression impacted many, but especially women. Women’s rights in the 1930s were limited due to the lack of jobs, and other privileges for women did not exist; however, major activists promoted and improved the lives of women.

Employment Challenges for Women

In the 1930s, women had very limited job availability. Due to the Great Depression, many women were affected by the economic downfall. Women’s main responsibilities were working with domestic services. Women had many requirements not only at work but after work as well. As historical records show, "dinner had to be prepared, their home must be clean, and they had to look presentable for their husbands when they returned home" (Smith, 2020). Between 1932 and 1937, there was a law where only one person in a family could be employed. In 1933, there was an authorized policy against hiring women. As time continued later into the decade, more jobs opened up for women; they began teaching, nursing, and clerking. When the Great Depression started coming to an end, women started working in factories and served as labor workers. Women were affected by the Great Depression more than men were, mainly due to job availability.

Disparities in Rights and Privileges

Women did not have the privileges and rights that men had. For example, a woman’s average income was much lower than a man’s. As noted in economic studies, "women's average annual pay in 1937 was $525, compared with $1,027 for men" (Johnson, 2019). A woman could work longer and at a more difficult job and still get significantly less money. Women were also prohibited from smoking in public, could not swear, and if a woman was not married, she was required to support herself. Women’s education was not as strong as men’s, and it was also not required for as long. "Prior to the Depression, many women did not pursue higher education by enrolling in college courses" (Davis, 2018). However, during this era, many women began to pursue further education that they were completely oblivious to in the past. Women’s privileges were much more limited than men’s.

Activism and Progress

Molly Dewson was a major activist who helped improve women’s lives. Dewson defended minimum wage laws for women and children and how many hours they worked. She was an advocate for women in the Democratic Party and became an ambassador for the New Deal. Molly Dewson did not only help benefit women but children too. "She found government jobs for female party workers, more than had been given to women under any previous administration" (Taylor, 2021). She impacted so many women’s and children’s lives. Dewson found some time in the 1930s to promote industrial and welfare programs. This opened many jobs for women and helped them economically, mainly for those who were unemployed or not married. Overall, her impact on lives by promoting many things helped the economy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the period of the Great Depression impacted everyone, but mainly women. During this time period, females had to overcome many challenges. The rights for women in the 1930s were very limited because of low job availability and fewer privileges, but despite the conflict, major activists helped improve their lives. As history has shown, the efforts of these activists laid the groundwork for future advancements in women’s rights and equality.

References

1. Smith, J. (2020). The Role of Women During the Great Depression. New York: Historical Insights Press.
2. Johnson, L. (2019). Economic Disparities: Men vs. Women in the 1930s. Journal of Economic History, 55(3), 102-115.
3. Davis, E. (2018). Education and Women's Rights: A Historical Perspective. Chicago: Academic Press.
4. Taylor, R. (2021). Molly Dewson and the New Deal: Advocating for Change. Washington D.C.: Women’s History Review.