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Labor History

Honors Theses

2012

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The Ideal Woman: The Changing Female Labor Force And The Image Of Femininity In American Society In The 1940s And 1950s, Carlie Seigal Jun 2012

The Ideal Woman: The Changing Female Labor Force And The Image Of Femininity In American Society In The 1940s And 1950s, Carlie Seigal

Honors Theses

In 1943 the image of Rosie the Riveter personified what the ideal American woman was supposed to be. Rosie supported the war effort and did her patriotic duty for her country, earned a high wage, enjoyed her newfound independence, and showed America that she could do a man’s job, and do it well. However, Rosie and the many American women that she represented never dreamt that when the American servicemen came home two short years later, they would be forced out of their jobs and back into their homes to devote themselves to household chores and their families. In 1957 …