The New Deal was a relief for many Americans because it brought many changes both socially, politically, and economically. Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal had tremendous positive and adverse effects on the lives of women. On the downside, the New Deal permitted unequal wages and job opportunities for women as men were given the available employment opportunities. Moreover, most relief programs during this time only targeted the men leaving the women out. On the positive side, after some time, many women were able to get jobs and appointed to take on employment in the government. In addition, they were offered with educational opportunities, and they participated in labor unions as they fought for their employment equal rights. The New Deal was a hallmark for economic and social reform for American women.
The most significant positive effect of the New Deal on women was increasing employment prospects for them. During this time, the women and other minorities were able to join the war and get other jobs that sustained them. The unemployment levels of women were increased ultimately because the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt ensured that they received work opportunities and employment compensations (Osborne, 2013). The Great Depression led to an increased in the levels of unemployment making people to live in poverty while others were rendered homeless. However, when the New Deal came in,
many jobs were created, and the women got some jobs to do which increased their living standards and their social status. With the jobs available, the women stopped living in poverty.
Even though several women were employed through the Work Progress Administration, initially, they were given low paying jobs. Nonetheless, Eleanor Roosevelt did her best to change this and gave women an opportunity to get the best jobs available. She had received many letters from women who complained about finding jobs and having problems to fend for their families. As a result, Eleanor Roosevelt talked to the president about the issue and ensured that a program to employ women nationwide was formed by championing the rights of women. The New Deal was an economic relief for most American women because they no longer lived in poverty as they got employment with safe working conditions and this brought food on their table.
Another significant positive impact of the New Deal on women was that they were provided for with educational opportunities. Prior to the New Deal, many women did not attend schools because they were considered as housewives and homemakers, therefore, were only to stay home as their husbands went to work. However, after the New Deal, many girls got opportunities to attend schools and other pieces of training, which helped them, earn some money to fend for their families.
The New Deal offered American women a great opportunity of getting involved in organized labor. They were now in labor unions, which were earlier on male dominated. Through these unions, they advocated for good working conditions, for instance, better wages and equal opportunities for work. Leuchtenburg notes that the participation of women in the labor unions helped them secure their jobs and earn prominent positions in the government (2009).
Apart from the benefits, the American women were also negatively impacted by the New Deal. First, there was a lot of discrimination and prejudice against them when it came to the available opportunities. Most of the workers faced discrimination at their workplace from men because the men argued that they were taking on jobs that belong to them (Osborne, 2013). Moreover, they received low wages because of their gender because the National Recovery Administration had set a minimum wage for women as men were well paid. Apart from the discrimination, since the men argued that American women were taking over their jobs, many agencies started hiring fewer women, which was a huge setback for the women who were yet to find employment.
Another setback the women faced during the time of the New Deal was that most programs initiated were primarily beneficial to men with little benefit to women. These programs gave women fewer chances to serve thus causing many of them who had jobs to lose them (Leuchtenburg, 2009). The American women were prevented from equal and full participation in the national society
and other important programs. Nonetheless, this was solved because, after some time, they were now given the chances to fill positions in the government by President Franklin Roosevelt. For instance, the president appointed women such as Francis Perkins to serve as the Secretary of Labor. The New Deal laid a foundation for women to fight for their rights and freedoms both in their workplaces and in social rights.
Even though the American women faced several setbacks during the time of the New Deal, they were also represented with significant opportunities that changed their lives. Since it was created to combat the adverse effects of the Great Depression for all American citizens, the New Deal made a lasting effect on the lives of the American women and their struggle for equal rights. Through labor unions and other programs, the women found a voice in the society and started participating in making America a great place to live in. The New Deal was a great deal not only for American women but also for all Americans. It brought many changes to the nation after America had experienced severe social, political, and economic problems. Many people had lost their jobs, houses, and were living in chronic poverty. When Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, the lives of all Americans changed. Moreover, the country’s economic situation increased because of the numerous job opportunities created.
In conclusion, the implications of the New Deal on the lives of women was huge. Although viewed as controversial, it significantly changed the lives of women in the US and has continued up to today. The New Deal laid a groundwork and is still regarded as one of the most decisive epochs in American history as it changed the American economy as well as positively changing the lives of most American women. Roosevelt’s New Deal was an ultimately a success for American women because they got many employment and educational opportunities. Even though during the start of the New Deal, the women were not favored, with the help of Eleanor Roosevelt, they benefit too ultimately. Even though at first, the women were not favored or rather supported by the New Deal, in the end, they benefited hugely from it. It was successful both socially, politically, and economically for the American women as it broke new ground for them. The New Deal permanently changed the lives of all Americans.
References
Leuchtenburg, W. (2009). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal: 1932-1940. NY: Harper Perennial.
Osborne, T. (2013). The New Deal. Aviation Week and Space Technology, 175(11).
