Question

How did the women's movement in the 1960s and 1970s change how we view women in the workforce?

Answer 1

• The feminist movement of the 1960s and '70s originally focused on dismantling workplace inequality, such as denial of access to better jobs and salary inequity, via anti-discrimination laws.
• n large part, the success of the feminist movement was driven by a favorable confluence of economic and societal changes. After World War II, the boom of the American economy outpaced the available workforce, making it necessary for women to fill new job openings; in fact, in the 1960s, two-thirds of all new jobs went to women.
• During the mid 20th century, women were confused on their standpoint in society. Many non-profit organizations, unions, and activist stood up for the rights of women. This period of confusion of the role of women lasted a couple of years, but alleviated during the late 20th century. Soon, women felt confortable entering the labor force once again.
• Women also begin to gain equality in the workforce. The equal pay act was enacted. In addition, some women started to work in jobs that were once male dominated. Women started filling up positions in the government sector, other professional jobs, and many other high skilled jobs.The world today,has accepted the idea of women in the workforce. Meanwhile, as expectations for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle have risen from the 1960s till today, having two incomes became critical to achieving this lifestyle, making women's participation in the workforce more acceptable now.
• Even though low pay for women and glass cieling still exists but still the situation has become better for women workforce if not perfect.
• Although the majority of women are part of the paid labour force, and despite considerable changes in attitudes, the family ideal and the assumption that women are better suited to domestic responsibilities including childcare live on.
• What has changed, however, is the role of working class women in the place where they have collective power.Women today are more likely than ever to be involved in paid work, for greater periods of their lives, and more likely to be unionised. This changed role opens up the possibility of liberation because women can more effectively fight, like all of their class, to overthrow capitalism, the fundamental source of oppression.