1. The Changing Roles of Women
Chapter 9 Section 4

2. Debate Over Equality
Women’s rights advocates: Women should be allowed to
Vote
Control their own property & income
Have access to higher education
Obtain professional jobs
Counterargument:
Destroys their femininity
Upsets the social order

3. Reality Many worked at home / on farm.
Young women, though, increasingly left for cities to work in factories.
Others helped establish volunteer organizations.
Technological Advances made house work easier.
Vacuum cleaners, etc.

4. Shopping Stores & mail order catalogs.
Advertising aimed at women
Department stores (Macy’s, etc.)
Chain stores (Woolworth, etc.)
Farms offered RFD by USPS (Rural Free Delivery)

5. Outside the Home Many thought working & married life wouldn’t mix.
Most female workers were
Wages were 40-70% of men’s wages.
Women didn’t have the mental capacity.

6. Volunteering Many women volunteered instead.
Temperance
Girls’ education
New libraries & playgrounds
Valuable experience was gained.
Speaking
Writing
Finance

7. The New Woman
Shorter hairstyles, more practical attire (skirts, blouses)
Dating now consisted of going out (without parental supervision)
Divorce rate
1900 = 1 in 12
1916 = 1 in 9
Still no right to vote (until 1920ch.11)