Women Workers in the Second World War

Production and Patriarchy in Conflict

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 20th Century
Cover of the book Women Workers in the Second World War by Penny Summerfield, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Penny Summerfield ISBN: 9781136247262
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Penny Summerfield
ISBN: 9781136247262
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The Second World War is often seen as a period of emancipation, because of the influx of women into paid work, and because the state took steps to relieve women of domestic work.

This study challenges such a picture. The state approached the removal of women from the domestic sphere with extreme caution, in spite of the desperate need for women’s labour in war work. Women’s own preferences were frequently neglected or distorted in the search for a compromise between production and patriarchy. However, the enduring practices of paying women less and treating them as an inferior category of workers led to growth in the numbers and proportions of women employed after the war in many areas of work.

Penny Summerfield concludes that the war accelerated the segregation of women in 'inferior' sectors of work, and inflated the expectation that working women would bear the double burden without a redistribution of responsibility for the domestic sphere between men, women and the state.

First published in 1984, this is an important book for students of history, sociology and women’s studies at all levels.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Second World War is often seen as a period of emancipation, because of the influx of women into paid work, and because the state took steps to relieve women of domestic work.

This study challenges such a picture. The state approached the removal of women from the domestic sphere with extreme caution, in spite of the desperate need for women’s labour in war work. Women’s own preferences were frequently neglected or distorted in the search for a compromise between production and patriarchy. However, the enduring practices of paying women less and treating them as an inferior category of workers led to growth in the numbers and proportions of women employed after the war in many areas of work.

Penny Summerfield concludes that the war accelerated the segregation of women in 'inferior' sectors of work, and inflated the expectation that working women would bear the double burden without a redistribution of responsibility for the domestic sphere between men, women and the state.

First published in 1984, this is an important book for students of history, sociology and women’s studies at all levels.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The World of Pompeii by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Residential Segregation Patterns of Latinos in the United States, 1990-2000 by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Liberty by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book The Varieties of Economic Rationality by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Daily Liturgical Prayer by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Testing in the Professions by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Human Rights and Social Equality: Challenges for Social Work by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book The Second World War on the Eastern Front by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Developing Mental Toughness in Young People by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Marketing for Cultural Organizations by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book The Age of the Moguls by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Community Policing by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book Consciousness in Jung and Patañjali by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book State Responses to Human Security by Penny Summerfield
Cover of the book The Making of Citizens by Penny Summerfield
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy