This paper traces the evolution of gender roles in American society from the early twentieth century through the 1990s. Beginning with the suffrage movement and industrialization of the 1920s, the paper examines how major historical events — including World War I, the Great Depression, and World War II — repeatedly redefined the social and economic roles of both men and women. It also covers the transformative cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, including the sexual revolution, equal pay legislation, and women's entry into the military and the Supreme Court. Drawing on sociological trends, the paper argues that each crisis or cultural turning point expanded women's roles and gradually eroded rigid gender distinctions.
Throughout history, gender roles have played a vital part in shaping Western society. From the transition of colonial belief systems through the industrial revolution of the 1920s to current trends, these gender roles have altered the workforce, family life, and numerous other areas of American life. This paper discusses gender roles from the 1920s through the end of the twentieth century, examining the sociological trends of these roles over time.
At the turn of the century, gender played a vital role in determining the educational and professional choices of men and women in colonial America. However, as social trends began to shift from the family nucleus of the religious norm toward economic and political ambitions, the role of women in society developed and expanded into much wider opportunities ("American Centuries: Gender Roles"). Previously, women were seen only in the role of mother and were largely absent from the workforce. As these social norms began to break down, more women entered the workforce and appeared more prominently in the public arena.
This increase in female workers was not, however, viewed positively by all of society. Some — particularly men in political and business roles — saw the new presence of women as a threat to male workers. But with the Progressive and Labor movements of the early 1900s, the plight of women workers was used to promote women's suffrage. Working women began to push for the right to vote in order to convince legislators to pass laws protecting their working rights (Landau, 35).
By 1920, the female role was further solidified with the passage of the amendment granting women the right to vote. Now able to participate in political discussions and in the selection of government, women found themselves in non-traditional occupational roles — factory and office workers, retail workers, teachers, accountants, and other previously male-dominated positions. Industrialization had altered gender roles in society to produce a more female-oriented workforce (Landau, 35). While family farms still existed in large rural areas, a decrease in soil productivity and increased competition forced women to abandon farm life and enter the paid workforce.
This change in the female role was not only apparent in the workforce and the voting booth, but in society in general. The tight-waisted, body-covering clothing of the early 1900s was replaced by the clothing of the flapper girl, which allowed women to show their legs and arms. This change, while seemingly subtle, was a clear indicator of women's shifting role in society. Rather than accepting life as mother and homemaker, women were clearly seeking a new identity — that of a powerful, attractive, and independent force (Tranquilla, 2).
In addition to industrialization, World War I brought about a similar sociological shift in gender roles. In 1914, the world went to war, and in response, many activists for women's rights became activists for the peace movement (Zieger, 146). At the forefront of the political battle was the question of military training in public education, supported mostly by male reformers. In the school systems, physical education instructors were traditionally male, and these individuals supported the reform movement. On the other side stood the predominantly female educators, who had previously often been excluded from education altogether. The now female-oriented classroom quickly became a battlefield of the sexes, again illustrating the sociological shift occurring across America (Zeiger, 150).
This shift, and the resulting political conflict, showed a trend in sociological resistance to gender role transition. The female-led opposition to classroom military instruction became a tool that male reformers used against female educators. Admiral F.E. Chadwick made a statement in opposition to women instructors, arguing that placing males in the care of females did violence to the "masculine" nature (Zieger, 159). Male physical educators claimed that male students were less masculine than those of other countries due to the "feminization" of the classroom (Zieger, 162). Such statements clearly mark the beginnings of a broader sociological resistance to women advancing in society and assuming positions of power.
From the female educators' standpoint, the gender role shift afforded them some political influence over school curricula. These female activists, firm in their roles as peacemakers and educators, were convinced that teaching military strategy in public schools would detract from the genuine education of America's youth (Sullivan, 512). Unlike the men who supported such measures — framing them as part of a strategy of national preparedness — the women could leverage their gender roles in their campaign. Whereas men in society were, and often still are, perceived as aggressors, women were, and are, seen as more peaceful. This allowed them to use gender itself as a strategy for winning public support (Sullivan, 514). This episode again illustrates how gender roles can be — and are — used as tools for gaining support or exerting influence.
Men were not excluded from this gender shift. Those men considered too "soft" or insufficiently masculine to serve in combat were quickly assigned to other duties, beginning a new social trend in male gender roles. These individuals were responsible for making clothing, packing supplies, working in the U.S. Forest Service, or serving at local universities where they participated in experiments (Sullivan, 516). While looked down upon by the public, these individuals were laying the groundwork for a new male role — that of support rather than conflict.
By the Great Depression, these trends in gender roles continued to develop. Traditional roles within the family were disrupted, with men finding themselves out of work partly due to wage differentials. These men began to rely on women and children to make ends meet, further securing the place of women in the workplace. While it was clear that the male role was changing in response, these changes were not accepted without difficulty (Allen, 41). Many men did not easily accept the loss of their identity as decision-maker and breadwinner. Instead, they began to resent the new role of women and stopped looking for work out of frustration. Paralyzed by a lack of available employment — and the higher wages commanded by male workers — many men abandoned their families entirely (Allen, 42).
"Economic crisis upends traditional family gender roles"
"Women mobilized as skilled industrial laborers"
"Legislation and culture drive expanding female equality"
There can be no question that throughout history, society has shaped and formed the gender roles of both sexes to suit the needs of the country. But with each step, society introduced new opportunities to women that allowed them to cross gender barriers and become equal members of society. From the homemaker of the 1920s to the flapper, from the housewife to the welder, and from the educator to the Supreme Court justice, women have consistently broadened their roles in American life.
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