ãThe roles of women changed in the 1920s instead of being home and obeying their husband, they became independent. Women were able to vote, got an education, and became active.
ã The families got smaller, in the 1800 there was 7-8 children per mother, but in the 1900 it was 3.5 children per mother. The middle and upper class women did not need children to work for them so they began to have less children. [1]
ãWomen would go out in public places like men. They would socialize by going to dance halls. They would meet with their dates and dance the night away. Also, girls would go to Nickelodeons, which was movie theaters. Mothers would take their children to get away from the hot kitchen for only a nickel. Young girl’s parents would not give them a good allowance. So, in order to get a boys eye they would show that they had some money and would buy a new feather or ribbon for their hats or dresses.[2]
ãWomen had also the responsibility to buy the goods and the families could afford more of the food since the women work. They became the main consumer purchasing for the household. Women made the decisions about the new products like already made shirts, canned food, and washing machines. They would also read the magazines like "Ladies Home Journal" or "American Home" which helped women learn how to be a head consumer. Also, in department stores females had more power and freedom then the men. They were the main person between the department and consumer. Women found other opportunities for consumer. They worked in advertising copywriters, publicist, designer, and sales representatives.[3]
ã Women became educated and public schools became popular. In the 1920s the girls took good advantage of school but it depended on the family weather or not they could afford it. Women was half of the high school and one third of high school graduates. In vocational schools girls would learn how to book keep, typing, sewing, cooking, and home economics.[4]
ã Women also became involved with politics. they wanted to make many of the issues better for women and children. They would work to have better schools, end child labor, laws setting both maximum and minimum per household. They wanted to have a safe and better community. There was still a difference between the ethics, it depended on what there ethnic was to see if they can involve in things. Also, the middle and upper class women would be active with the issues since they had time unlike the poor.[5]
When people think of women in the 1920s the first thing that pops into their heads are flappers. But being a flapper wasn't just a fashion trend, it was turning point in history for women.
In August of 1920, the nineteenth ammendment was passed and women were allowed to vote. And after World War I most young women felt no need to conform to normal society[7]. They felt they needed to break out from the mold that they were raised to be. No longer did they want to be a conservative woman confined to home and tradition, they wanted to break out. The young flapper generation often offended the old generation of conservative women. The old generation felt offended by the flapper's behavior and lifestyle.
Liberated young woman of the 1920s were given the nickname flapper. It was not only a title but it was a movement. Woman all over were beginning to follow the flapper trend. They would get on diets so that they can achieve the ultimate flapper look, thin, flat chested with slim hips[9]. They would cut their hair into a short bob. They also started wearing a lot of make up and they applied it in public. And the clothes they would wear were more loose fitting with low necklines and short hem lines. Dresses worn weren’t form fitting anymore, they had a more tubular shape to them.
Hair:
Young women of the 1920s following the flapper fashion cut their hair into a short bob. Along with the bob, bangs were also cut. Bangs were either cut in a bold straight across manor or bangs swooped to the side of the face. Styling the bold bob was also very common, most women would style their hair with marcelled finger waves[10].
Make-up:
Flappers didnt exactly go for the "natural" look. Their faces were caked on with rice powder, which acheived the pasty white look. Deep shades of reds were used for lipstick. Make-up was also often applied in public which was considered inappropriate behavior[11].
Wardrobe:
Young women of the 1920s started dressing alot different than the generation before them. Waistlines and necklines were dropped. Dresses were tubular shaped[12].
The young woman of the 1920s were no longer condemed to their homes. And no longer having to stay home domestic chores such as cleaning and cooking and caring after their childern. Flappers wanted to break out from that mold. Flappers did many things that were considered inappropriate by the generation before them were things like applying make-up in public, dressing in a revealing manor, dancing all night, and smoking all day.
Significant Individuals
The 1920's were a time of prosperity and new opportunities for women in the United States. Some of the more famous women are outlined below.
Alice Paulwas the originator of some of the most outstanding achievements for women in the 20th century. Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885 in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. She dedicated her life to trying to secure equal rights for all women. Alice Paul had a huge impact on American history. Her long struggle for justice in the United States is known around the world. Alice Paul fought very hard for women and men to be equal partners in society.
Nellie Tayloe Rosswas the country's first woman governor of the State of Wyoming. She was also the first woman director of the U.S. Mint and a vice chairman of the Democratic National Convention. She is often referred to as Mrs. Equality. During her 20-year term with the U.S. Mint, the Roosevelt dime, Jefferson nickel and steel penny were introduced. Nellie Tayloe Ross lived to be 101 years old.
Bessie Smithwas a popular black jazz singer during the 1920's. She recorded with successful jazz muscians like Louis Armstrong and Fletcher Henderson. She toured throughout the North and South to large audiences. She even starred in a movie called St. Louis Blues. Bessie Smith recorded almost 200 songs in her life. She was the highest paid black recording artist of her time. Bessie Smith died in a car accident in 1937.
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment was to stop the suffrage of and women and give them the right to vote. It first began in July 1848,Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention. On August 20, 1920 the law was passed and women were able to vote. The National Women's Party worked for a federal suffrage amendment to the Constitution. They would picket the White House,picketed or on a strike at the White House, staging large suffrage marches and demonstrations, and going to jail. Women came all different backgrounds and they would disagree with each other. Some of the women were Susan B. Anthony, Alice Duer Miller, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and etc. Alice was always wealthy and graduated with a good career. She also, traveled and worked for women suffrage. She wrote a column "Are Women People?" and helped many women. Susan B Anthony was concerned with the women suffrage and she helped. She was the one that found American Equal Rights Association in 1866 and merged in 1890.[14]
Comments (2)
Paige Black said
at 8:52 am on Oct 1, 2008
OHH HEYY there laurr! =)
Alyssa Belli said
at 4:19 pm on Oct 1, 2008
lauraaaaaa this is the bessst
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