Women in the WorkforceWomen in the WorkforceA Look at Changes that Have Occurred for Women in the U.S.

By Stephanie Dodson

Traditional Roles for U.S. WomenTraditional Roles for U.S. Women

Traditional Roles for U.S. WomenTraditional Roles for U.S. WomenPrior to World War II, women in the U.S. were expected to get married, keep house, and raise children

Traditional “Female” JobsTraditional “Female” Jobs

SecretarySecretary

NurseNurse

Homemaker Homemaker (Housewife)(Housewife)

SchoolteacherSchoolteacher

Phone OperatorPhone Operator

WaitressWaitress

•Women who did work outside the home held traditional “female” jobs such as nurse, secretary, and schoolteacher

•These positions were lower-paid than “male” jobs

•Once they got married, women were expected to quit working and stay home to raise children

Traditional “Female” JobsTraditional “Female” Jobs

Women in Popular Culture: Women in Popular Culture: I Love LucyI Love Lucy

•I Love Lucy was a popular TV show that ran in the 1950’s

•The program featured Lucy, a housewife who envied her husband’s show business career

•Lucy was expected to keep house, raise children, and obey her husband

I Love LucyI Love Lucy1951-19571951-1957

World War IIWorld War II(1941-1945)(1941-1945)

War Brings New Responsibilities War Brings New Responsibilities For U.S. WomenFor U.S. Women

World War IIWorld War II(1941-1945)(1941-1945)

•Prior to WWII, it was unusual for women to work outside of the home

•When war broke out, most able-bodied men became soldiers, resulting in a shortage of workers

•Factory workers were needed to supply the war effort, so women were encouraged to support their country by getting jobs

•For the first time, many women had the opportunity to enter the workforce

Female Factory Workers During WWIIFemale Factory Workers During WWII

•“We can do it” posters urged women to take part in the war effort

•“Rosie the Riveter” represents the six million women who worked in factories during WWII

•“Rosie” now serves as a feminist icon and symbol of women’s economic power

““Rosie the Riveter”Rosie the Riveter”

A Return to Traditional Roles A Return to Traditional Roles Following World War IIFollowing World War II

•After the war, there was a return to traditional gender roles

•Men returned to the workplace and women were fired or returned to previous low-paying positions

•Women were expected to resume their previous role of raising children and keeping house

•However, the path had been paved for women to work outside the home

The Women’s Movement:The Women’s Movement:1960’s – 1970’s1960’s – 1970’s

A New Era BeginsA New Era Begins

The Women’s MovementThe Women’s Movement•Women’s contribution to factories during WWII had shown American women that they were capable of more than just keeping house and raising children

•In the 1960’s and 70’s, a series of social changes occurred that allowed U.S. woman to pursue greater educational and professional opportunities than ever before

Birth Control Leads to Greater Social FreedomBirth Control Leads to Greater Social Freedom

•With the advent of the birth control pill in 1960, women gained more control over their bodies

•For the first time, women could choose whether to reproduce and decide how many children to have

•Women gained greater social freedom and potential to enter the workplace

““The Feminine Mystique”The Feminine Mystique”•Betty Friedan’s 1963 book The Feminine Mystique attacked the commonly held belief that women could only find fulfillment through keeping house and raising children.

•Friedan taught American women that they had more options besides being a housewife

Women in Popular Culture: Mary Tyler MooreWomen in Popular Culture: Mary Tyler Moore

•In the 1950’s, Mary Tyler Moore starred in The Dick Van Dyke Show as Laura Petrie, a housewife

•In the 1970’s, she played single career women Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show

•Mary Richards became a feminist icon representing the growing role of women in the workforce

Dick Van DykeDick Van Dyke1961-19661961-1966

Mary Tyler MooreMary Tyler Moore1970-19771970-1977

The Glass CeilingThe Glass Ceiling•The term "glass ceiling" refers to invisible barriers that impede the career advancement of women.

•Due to sexism, women reach a point at which they stop getting promoted.

The Glass CeilingThe Glass Ceiling

Wage GapWage Gap

•The•In 2004, women's wages in the U.S. were 76.5% of men's wages.

Women's pay (relative to men's) rose Women's pay (relative to men's) rose rapidly from 1980 to 1990 (from 60.2% to rapidly from 1980 to 1990 (from 60.2% to 71.6%), and has risen less rapidly from 71.6%), and has risen less rapidly from 1990 to 2004 (from 71.6% to 76.5%). 1990 to 2004 (from 71.6% to 76.5%).

Wage GapWage Gap

Women and EducationWomen and Education

Discrimination in the WorkplaceDiscrimination in the Workplace

Discrimination in the WorkplaceDiscrimination in the Workplace

Challenges and ObstaclesChallenges and Obstacles

Problems Faced by Problems Faced by Women in the WorkforceWomen in the Workforce

Confronting Sexual Harassment Confronting Sexual Harassment in the Workplacein the Workplace

Confronting Workplace Confronting Workplace Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment

Balancing Career and FamilyBalancing Career and Family

Challenges Faced by Working WomenChallenges Faced by Working Women

Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action

Women Enter Non-Tradit ional Women Enter Non-Tradit ional CareersCareers

Women in Positions of PowerWomen in Positions of Power

Katie Couric interviewing Condoleezza RiceKatie Couric interviewing Condoleezza Rice

Powerful Women in the U.S.Powerful Women in the U.S.

Condoleezza RiceCondoleezza RiceSecretary of StateSecretary of State

•First black woman to serve as Secretary of State

•Pioneered a policy of “Transformational Diplomacy”

•Professor of Political Science at Stanford University

Powerful Women in the U.S.Powerful Women in the U.S.

Oprah WinfreyOprah WinfreyTalk Show Host/ Media MogulTalk Show Host/ Media Mogul

•Host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest-rated talk show in television history

•Also an actress, philanthropist, book critic, and magazine publisher

•Some consider her the most influential woman in the world

Powerful Women in the U.S.Powerful Women in the U.S.

Hillary ClintonHillary ClintonSenator/ Presidential Senator/ Presidential CandidateCandidate

•Served as First Lady of the U.S. from 1993 to 2001

•Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, marking the first time a U.S. First Lady ran for public office

•Currently a candidate for the democratic nomination in the 2008 presidential election

Powerful Women in the U.S.Powerful Women in the U.S.

Julia RobertsJulia RobertsWorld’s Highest-Paid ActressWorld’s Highest-Paid Actress

Katie CouricKatie CouricJournalistJournalist