1.6 Both Sides Now (Women in WWI)

Here are the notes based on the evidence and analysis regarding Canadian women in the workforce during and after World War I:

NO - War Did Not Represent a Significant Turning Point for Canadian Women in the Workforce

• Labour Force Participation:

  • The participation rate didn’t significantly increase after the war, with only a 1% increase from 1911 to 1921 (Ev 1.26).

  • The greatest increase in female participation did not occur during the war years.

• Post-War Occupations:

  • The most common post-war occupation for women remained domestic service, with a continuation of women working as maids for up to ten years after the war (Ev 1.27).

  • Clerical work also became more common but was still limited and low-paying.

• Paternalistic and Exploitative Language:

  • The government’s “scheme” sending “inexperienced city girls” to farms portrayed women as unwanted and exploited, using demeaning and paternalistic language (Ev 1.28 #1).

• Gender Pay Gap:

  • Women working in munitions industries earned only 50-83% of what their male counterparts made (Ev 1.28 #2).

• Discrimination Against Black Women:

  • The war didn’t create significant opportunities for Black women in the paid labor force, especially in industrial jobs (Ev 1.28 #3).

• Limited Impact on Domestic Labour:

  • Despite working in paid labor, women’s roles in domestic labor continued, with little change to the societal expectations that women remain tied to home-related duties (Ev 1.28 #6).

• Gender Bias and Post-War Displacement:

  • Women’s work in "untraditional" jobs was not permanent, with many being fired when men returned from the war (Ev 1.28 #7).

  • Gender biases remained strong, and women feared expressing their passions due to patriarchal expectations and societal pressures (Ev 1.29).

• Poster Campaigns and Male Dominance:

  • Government posters aimed to diminish women’s newfound roles, reinforcing the idea that men were superior and should dominate the workforce (Ev 1.30).

• Exploitation and Control:

  • Despite having some opportunities for paid labor, women were still relegated to lower-status and physically demanding work, often exploited in industrial jobs (Ev 1.32).

YES - War Was a Turning Point for Canadian Women in the Workforce

• Increased Labour Force Participation:

  • The labour force participation rate did increase during the war (Ev 1.26), though data limitations prevent a clear spike.

• Shift to Non-Traditional Occupations:

  • Women entered manufacturing and mechanical fields (EV 1.27), marking a shift away from domestic service.

  • The war allowed women to work in munitions factories (Ev 1.28 #2), especially in visible non-traditional roles, breaking gender barriers.

• Reduction in Domestic Servants:

  • There were fewer women employed as domestic servants by 1921, showing a post-war shift (EV 1.27).

• Government Schemes and Empowerment:

  • The government’s “city girls” initiative allowed women to take leadership roles on farms, which was a significant step for women to gain new skills outside of the home (Ev 1.28 #1).

• Middle-Class Women:

  • Even middle-class women started to work in these new roles, which were becoming more socially acceptable (Ev 1.28 #4).

  • Women also began to seek paid work and continued advocating for voting rights (EV 1.28 #5).

• Recognition and Payment for Contributions:

  • Women’s work in war-related industries was recognized and rewarded, showing that their contributions were no longer ignored (Ev 1.28 #6).

• Empowerment and Breaking Stereotypes:

  • Despite enduring many challenges, the war gave women the confidence to fight for equality and prove they were not fragile (Ev 1.28 #7).

  • Women were able to express their passions and take on roles that were previously considered “male-dominated” (Ev 1.29).

• Post-War Acceptance of Women in Skilled Jobs:

  • Post-war society began to accept women in high-skilled jobs, even alongside men, as shown by images of men and women working together, including women of color (Ev 1.32).

• Nurses and Other Non-Traditional Roles:

  • Women in the workforce, including nurses, took on significant roles like running ambulances and contributing to the war effort beyond traditional expectations.

Conclusion:

Despite facing gender biases, sexism, and societal expectations of patriotism, Canadian women in the workforce experienced a significant turning point during and after World War I. While the changes were not permanent or without setbacks, the war created opportunities for women to enter new professions, gain recognition for their contributions, and challenge traditional gender roles.

• Strongest Evidence:

  • Evidence 1.30, where a government poster showed how women survived without men during the war, demonstrates that society underestimated women’s capabilities, but they proved that they could handle traditionally male-dominated roles.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Canadian Women in the Workforce During and After WWI

No - War Was Not a Significant Turning Point

• Labour Force Participation:

  • Only a 1% increase in female workforce participation from 1911-1921.

  • Greatest increase was not during the war years.

• Post-War Jobs:

  • Most common post-war job was domestic service (maids, continued for 10 years after war).

  • Clerical work increased but was still low-paying.

• Paternalistic Attitudes:

  • Government language often portrayed women as inexperienced and exploited.

• Gender Pay Gap:

  • Women in munitions industries earned 50-83% of what men made.

• Discrimination Against Black Women:

  • War didn’t create significant opportunities for Black women, especially in industrial jobs.

• Domestic Labour:

  • Women's roles at home continued, even while they worked in paid labor.

• Post-War Displacement:

  • Women were fired when men returned from the war, reinforcing gender biases.

• Government Campaigns:

  • Posters reinforced the idea that men should dominate the workforce.

Yes - War Was a Turning Point

• Increased Labour Force Participation:

  • Women’s participation did increase during the war, though data limitations prevent a clear spike.

• Shift to Non-Traditional Jobs:

  • Women entered manufacturing and mechanical fields, breaking traditional gender roles.

  • Women worked in munitions factories, marking a shift from domestic roles.

• Reduced Domestic Servants:

  • By 1921, there were fewer women in domestic service, showing a post-war shift.

• Government Empowerment:

  • The “city girls” program allowed women to lead on farms, giving them new skills.

• Middle-Class Women:

  • Middle-class women also started working in non-traditional jobs, which became more socially acceptable.

• Recognition of Contributions:

  • Women’s work in wartime industries was recognized and rewarded.

• Empowerment:

  • The war gave women the confidence to fight for equality and break gender stereotypes.

• Post-War Acceptance:

  • Post-war society accepted women in skilled jobs, even in male-dominated fields.

• Non-Traditional Roles:

  • Women, including nurses, contributed to the war in non-traditional roles, like running ambulances.