The Changing Role and Status of Women (1880-1980)

The Changing Role and Status of Women (1880-1980)

Late Victorian Period: 1880-1901

  • During the late Victorian period, women were primarily seen as wives and mothers, with very limited political or economic power.
  • The Married Women’s Property Act (1882) formally recognised women as separate legal entities to their husbands, allowing women to own and control property in their own right.
  • The development of higher education for women began in the late 19th century, with the founding of university colleges for women. However, it wasn’t until 1920 that Oxford University granted degrees to women.
  • Activism for women’s suffrage escalated with the formation of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS) in 1897, campaigning for women’s right to vote.

Early 20th Century: 1901-1945

  • Women’s suffrage becomes more militant with the creation of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) in 1903, leading to numerous demonstrations and instances of civil disobedience.
  • The First World War (1914-1918) saw women stepping into roles traditionally filled by men due to the war effort, challenging societal norms.
  • Women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote in 1918 with the Representation of the People Act. Women over 21 gained full electoral equality with men in 1928.
  • The establishment of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 opened up professions to women such as law and accountancy, and gave women the right to serve on juries.

Post-War Period: 1945-1980

  • In the wake of the Second World War, women continued to work in various industries due to labour shortages, leading to societal changes in gender roles.
  • The welfare state established under the Labour government in 1945-1951, specifically the formation of the NHS and expansion of education, provided more job opportunities for women.
  • Introduction of The Equal Pay Act (1970) and the Sex Discrimination Act (1975) aimed to eliminate gender discrimination and secure equal pay for work of equal value.
  • Birth control advancements in the 1960s, including the pill, led to a sexual revolution and gave women more control over their fertility, radically changing perceptions and practices of sex, courtship, and marriage.