Attitudes Towards Women in 1900 Group Activity Higher History

Attitudes towards women in 1900 were very different from attitudes today. First, however, we will try to define current attitudes to men and women

Task 1 The class will be split into groups along gender lines – e.g. boys and girls groups. Each group will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the other gender using only one or two word answers – e.g. reliable, self centred etc. Remember they are general attitudes of society as a whole and not your personal opinion of a single person. Then complete the same task for your own gender.

Task 2 Look at the list of characteristics used in the 19 th Century to describe men or women below and decide which were male or female characteristics or even shared by both genders: Complete two lists like these; MaleFemale

RELIABLE STRONG WEAK FAMILY ORIENTATED UNWORLDLY WORLDLY BREADWINNER UNTRUTHFUL BEAUTIFUL EMOTIONAL IMMATURE A GOOD FRIEND INTELLIGENT SIMPLE POLITICAL CARING EASILY LED LEADER SENSITIVE LOGICAL WITTY

Task 3 Fashion is often a good barometer of attitudes in society. Women in 1900 were treated quite badly in a whole range of ways from women today. In education, employment, the law and in society as a whole they were often treated more like children than adults.

Task 3 Continued What does the picture from a fashion magazine around 1900 suggest about: Society – Would most women dress like this today? Why? What was the purpose of dressing like this? Jobs – What sort of jobs if any could a woman do? What does this suggest about a woman’s role in society?

Task 4 These pictures are from America in the 1920’s. Compare these pictures to the one on the previous slide What do they suggest about changing attitudes towards women?

Task 4 continued s Look at the two sets of bathing costumes, only 20 years apart yet they suggest that women’s lives are changing – How?