World War I had an immense social impact on women in Britain and their position in society. They challenged the ideal women, being nurturing and pacifistic and the weaker sex. By joining the workforce and maintaining the home front of Britain while the men were at War, it gave women a sense of triumph and self-respect. It showed that women were able to a man's job and were capable of taking part in society.
By the cessation of World War I, women had partially achieved the right to vote, specifying a considerable step forwards in the rights of women and constituting an egalitarian society. When the women were expected to return to their traditional social position in society, they were left with a dysphoric feeling. During the War they had become intimate with the perception of freedom and wanted this to continue, leading to the loosening of attitudes in the 'Roaring Twenties'. Leading into the 1920's, female employment rates were no higher than they had been in 1914. The Sex Discrimination (Removal) Act 1919 made it easier fro women to work in professions, but only benefited working-class women. |
'Turning from a woman to a private soldier proved nothing compared with turning back from soldier to ordinary woman.'
Flora Sandes on her experiences on combat |