The 1920s signaled a melodramatic break between the past and future of America. Prior to WWI, Americans were psychologically and culturally entrenched in the 19th century culture. It was a high time for people to change and usher in a new era. Most vivid impressions of that time are speakeasies, movie palaces, dance halls and flappers. These changes are attributed to the new awakening that was sweeping across the entire world majorly due to increasing illiteracies and the real lessons learnt from WWI.
Momentous changes for urban women took place in the workplace, politics, education, and at homes. Urban women found that electricity made housekeeping different, and often cooler, with electrically operated vacuum washing machines, irons and cleaners. Their dressing mode changed due to changes in fashions and designs. These changes resulted from newly developed technologies and newly formulated and implemented laws. The place of females in the society was swiftly changing (Moretta, 129). Attitudes towards women’s place in the society also started changing. Men started perceiving women with a positive look and great respect. To counter the challenges associated with the change, women started taking part in policymaking. They assumed that it was their right and responsibility to take a thoughtful position in politics since political decisions directly and indirectly affects their lives. Additionally, women mobilized themselves and claimed for more political rights such as voting to ensure that female oppression will never be witnessed again.
The American society started accepting women as their equals. They started engaging in paid jobs even before marriage rather than only engaging themselves with indoor duties. The demands of providing moral support to husbands, raise children, keep house and contribute to societal development in myriad ways started disparaging. Urban women persevered to overcome irrational barriers placed by the society. The combination of a domesticity with a career implied that the women had to efficiently manage vitality and time to meet the hassles of being an employee, mother, and wife. Life became sparkling and cheerful.
Work cited
Moretta, John A. The American Challenge: A New History of the United States Volume 2. Abigail Press; 2012. Print.
