9.8 - 20th-Century Feminism

Women's Roles and Rights in Post-World War II Europe

Changing Roles of Women:

• Traditionally, women in European history were primarily viewed as mothers, whether pre-mothers (before having children), mothers (raising children), or post-mothers (whose roles were limited to supporting their husbands).

• After World War II, this perception began to change significantly, with new opportunities emerging for women in both Western and Eastern Europe.

Post-War Economic Opportunities:

• The post-war economic boom, fueled by the Marshall Plan in Western Europe, created a high demand for labor, opening up new job opportunities for women.

• The shift from male-dominated industries like coal mining and shipbuilding to a knowledge-based economy also facilitated women's entry into white-collar professions.

• Additionally, many younger women began attending college in large numbers after the war, preparing them for careers in the growing knowledge economy.

Persistent Inequalities:

• Despite increased opportunities, women continued to face inequality in the workplace. Many could only find part-time work, and those who did find full-time jobs were often paid less than men for the same work.

• These gains in the West were largely the result of efforts by feminists, particularly during what became known as the second wave of feminism.

First and Second Wave Feminism:

• First Wave Feminism:

  • Occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing primarily on securing women's right to vote (women's suffrage).

  • Many Western governments recognized women's right to vote after World War I, in part due to their significant contributions to the war effort.

  • Countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Germany, Britain, and Czechoslovakia granted women suffrage by 1918, with the United States following in 1920. France granted women the right to vote in 1944.

• Second Wave Feminism:

  • Emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on broader societal issues and inequalities, including education, marriage laws, and professional careers.

  • In France, Simone de Beauvoir's book The Second Sex laid the philosophical foundation for second-wave feminism, advocating for the abolition of societal standards governing women's behavior and equal opportunities for women.

Women’s Rights in the Soviet Union:

• In the Soviet Union and Soviet Bloc, women's rights were often granted through government policy rather than feminist activism.

• Women were recognized as equal to men as far back as the Russian Revolution, with greater equality of opportunity than in many Western countries.

• However, women in the Soviet Union faced similar challenges as those in the West, including workplace inequality and limited career opportunities.

Marriage and Reproductive Rights:

• The post-war period also saw significant changes in women's rights related to marriage and reproduction.

• Divorce laws began to shift, giving women more agency in the divorce process, which had previously been dominated by men.

• Women gained greater control over their reproductive choices, most notably with the introduction of the birth control pill.

  • The pill, largely developed through the efforts of American feminist Margaret Sanger, allowed women to regulate their fertility and decide if and when to have children.

  • The Roman Catholic Church opposed the pill, arguing that it took control over reproduction out of God's hands.

• Another important technological advancement was in vitro fertilization (IVF), which allowed women to conceive children without traditional methods, further increasing reproductive autonomy.

Women in Politics:

• Women also made significant gains in politics during the latter part of the 20th century:

  • Margaret Thatcher: Became Great Britain's first female prime minister in 1979. A conservative leader, she aimed to reverse the liberal policies of the Labour Party, reducing government programs, lowering taxes for the wealthy, and privatizing state-run agencies.

  • Mary Robinson: Elected as the first female president of Ireland in 1990. She worked to modernize Ireland, advocating for the legalization of divorce, contraception, and homosexuality.

  • Édith Cresson: Became France's first female prime minister in 1991. Her tenure was marked by accusations of corruption, but she remains a significant figure in the advancement of women in French politics.