Changes in Women Lives during the Interwar Period in Britain - Essay Example

? Changes in Women’s Lives during the Interwar Period in Britain Prior to the First World War, British women were treated as second class citizens; women oppression in many aspects of life was rife in the United Kingdom. This affected women’s lives in negative ways since they faced numerous challenges with regard to employment, health, and politics. The customs required that, upon marriage, women had to stop working if they were employed and become housekeepers. With the onset of the interwar period, which lasted from 1918 to 1939, the lives of women changed considerably as women started experiencing positive changes in their lives. These changes contributed immensely to the attainment of equal rights with men. The purpose of this paper is to explore the changes in women’s lives during the interwar period in Britain. More specifically, the paper will examine the changes in women’s lives with regard to health, work, and politics. In the interwar period, women’s lives in Britain improved, especially in the realms of work, health, and politics. Women suffrage movements gained momentum, and their popularity gained widespread recognition throughout Britain. Consequently, women oppression declined considerably as women sought equal representation in the various aspects of their daily life (Laybourn 1999, p.114). One of the areas in which women made remarkable progress was in the field of employment. Unlike the years before the war, the interwar period saw women work issues addressed with numerous efforts being put in place to ensure that employment rights of women in Britain were looked into with a lot of keenness (Constantine 1983, p.33). From 1918 to 1939, the number of British working in industries rose significantly. In 1914, the number of women employed in British industries and other casual occupations was only 2000; by 1920, the number stood at 247, 000. The increase in the number of working women in Britain led to an increment in the real wages; this had an impact on household incomes, which increased considerably. Consequently, the status of women improved as they had the ability to provide for themselves and not necessarily depend on their husbands. The industrial position of women experienced some revolution as a result of the war. Women got an opportunity to work in the paid labour market, where they could be fairly remunerated for the work they did. British women gained profound freedom during the interwar period. They formed trade unions and lobby groups, which advocated for their rights at the workplace and their recognition as crucial players in economic development (Eichengreen 1988, p. 149). The formation of trade unions was mostly precipitated by the efforts of the League and Guild women. Some of the most influential trade unions formed during this period included the National Federation of Women Workers (NFWW), the Railway Women’s Guild (RWG) and Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL). The number of women working in the civil service also increased significantly. In 1911, the number of British women in the workplace used to be 33, 000, but this number had increased to 102, 000 in 1921. British women had an opportunity to advocate for their rights in the workplace through the introduction of "Sex Disqualification Removal Act, in 1919. This act gave women a chance to enter certain professions, which were previously preserved for men. In addition, about two million British women replaced men in employment positions. From July 1914 to December 1918, the total number of employed women in Britain increased from 24 percent to 37 percent. Working conditions of women in Britain also improved considerably during the interwar period (Constantine 1983, p.34). The enactment of the Industrial Courts Act of 1919 also heightened trade union activities during the interwar period (Eichengreen 1988, p.151). Between 1918 and 1930, Britain witnessed the passing of about 23 legislations, which aimed at according women equal rights with men. The influx of women in prestigious occupations changed the status of women in Britain. Consequently, their living standards improved considerably since they could afford a decent living. Moreover, ancient traditions, which confined women at home while men worked, collapsed during the interwar period. As a result, women had a say in the workplace, and they could get employment in managerial positions. British women were not just subordinate workers in organisations, but they could also be employed as supervisors (Eichengreen 1988, p. 152). During the interwar period, British women also made considerable improvements on issues affecting their health. Women’s health improved considerably during the interwar period, especially with regard to maternal health and childcare. With the passing of Maternity and Child Welfare Act of 1918, the welfare facilities, as well as health of children and mothers were improved significantly. The improvements in women’s health during the interwar period in Britain led to a decline of maternal mortality rates (Eichengreen 1988, p. 153). Childbirth also improved considerably during the interwar period; the traditional methods of giving birth were replaced by advanced and modern methods. It became possible to give birth in hospitals, unlike the past when women only gave birth at homes. This reduced the complications experienced by women while giving birth. During the interwar period, the number of birth rates among British women declined compared to the period before the war. The decline in birth rates can be attributed to the women empowerment, which became a common aspect of feminist movements during the interwar period. British women gained awareness of the need to conduct family planning. The use of birth control methods, such as pills, became widespread during the interwar period; this meant that women could not give birth to as many children as before (Eichengreen 1988, p. 149). The increased use of family planning methods can also be attributed to the fact that most women could work. With the increase in the number of working females, there arose a need to devise ways of controlling the number of births. Britain established maternity and child welfare clinics during the interwar period. These clinics were very instrumental in offering contraceptive advice to women. Social welfare policies were also established; this allowed women to gain valuable information regarding their health issues. Improvements in the health and welfare of women during the interwar period led to a decline in gender disparities in healthcare, thus making women gain equal health status with men (Graves 1994, p. 82). Women involvement in politics also intensified during the interwar period. In 1918, many women, especially the working class, became members of the Labour Party and Cooperative Movement. In Britain, women’s involvement in politics was precipitated by the education they gained from the universities. With the establishment of numerous universities in Britain, women had an opportunity to gain higher education and be at equal levels with men. Labour women challenged men to accord them an equal status, especially on issues that related to reforms. Gender segregation in politics declined during the interwar period; this gave women a chance to venture in politics without any hindrance. Women’s involvement in politics, in Britain, led to an increase in organisations, which championed for the plight of women. For example, there was the formation of the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship. There also emerged the first female members of parliament in Britain. The Complete Emancipation of Women also became rife during the interwar period. Women in Britain managed to challenge legal restrictions, which barred them from engaging in politics. As such, most women had a chance to venture in politics and become crucial players in the nation’s political arena (Graves 1994, p. 83). During the interwar period, most middle class women in Britain entered national politics, and they replaced the traditional gender perceptions that favoured men politically at the expense of women. The increased activities of female activists led by feminists contributed immensely to the involvement of women in politics. Women in positions of power championed for the rights of oppressed women (Graves 1994, p. 84). The Representation of the People Act passed in 1918 allowed women above the age of 21 years to have the right to vote. Women’s political ideologies gained recognition in interwar Britain. During the 1920s, the British society witnessed significant reformations as a result of the involvement of women in politics. Women involvement in Britain can be regarded as one of the most significant contributors to the suffrage movement. This emanates from the fact that women in positions of power managed to address salient issues, which contributed to female discrimination. While concluding this study, it is worth noting that British women gained immense recognition during the interwar period, especially on issues of health, work, and politics. The interwar period saw women in Britain get an opportunity to be employed like their male counterparts. Women could be remunerated fairly with men. In addition, women’s health improved considerably during the interwar period. Maternal health and family planning became a routine for the common British woman. The use of contraceptives for birth control intensified in Britain during the interwar period. Women involvement in politics also improved during the interwar period. Most women became politicians, and this can be demonstrated by the numerous efforts of labour women. Thus, the interwar period can be regarded a crucial period for British women since they made notable achievements during this period. References List Constantine, S. (1983). Social Conditions in Britain: 1918 – 1939, London, Routledge. pp. 33-40. Eichengreen, B. (1988). Interwar Unemployment in International Perspective, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, Kluwer Academic Publishers. Pp.148-160. Graves, P. M. (1994). Labour Women: Women in British Working-Class Politics: 1918-1939. Cambridge [u.a., Cambridge Univ. Press. pp.80-85. Laybourn, K. (1999). Modern Britain since 1906: a reader, London [u.a.], I.B. Tauris. p.114 Read More