The Transformation of Women’s Freedom from 1949 to 2016 Essay Example

difficult work, high stress levels, separation, and shortages. After going through such challenging situations, most people eagerly desired a return to normalcy.

According to Dragiewicz and Mann (2), there was an increase in new marriages and babies during this time. However, many women faced both positive and negative outcomes in the following years. The effort to shift more female workers into the clothing and textile industries, which had already started before the war, continued. Unfortunately, many women who were previously employed as ironworkers and metal workers in munitions and aircraft factories faced job and wage loss and had to resort to lower-paying restaurant jobs compared to men.

They were given 75% of the male rate, but most of the comprehensive child care centers established during the war disappeared due to the government's withdrawal of funding. Many women were left without husbands due to death or war-related trauma, leaving them with inadequate pensions and little support from their communities. This situation made them realize the devastating impact of the nuclear bombings in Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

The first atomic generation challenged long-standing norms, leading to a strong reaction against them. This had consequences on a large scale, causing parents to be confused and putting increased pressure on women. Experts engaged in intense debates about whether working mothers were to blame for social problems (Dragiewicz ; Mann 2). The shortage of housing resulted in the rise of the suburban dream, and the expanding consumer culture exposed many women to the realization that they were trapped in their new homes. These women found themselves limited to relying on drug therapy and valium for suburban neurosis (Dragiewicz ; Mann 4).

The end of World

War II brought about the Cold War, which resulted in new areas of interest in the Pacific region, China, and Eastern Europe. The technologies that were triggered by this new war accelerated both contradictions and growth, including privileged and underprivileged, development and underdevelopment, the possibility of total annihilation, and space adventure. The 1950s witnessed various political practices against a backdrop of declining democratic practice and extreme bigotry. Efforts were made not only to ban the communist party but also to give the government arbitrary power in determining who was or was not a communist (Stoelzler 250). Anticommunism was used to suppress political dissent and tarnish the image of opponents. As a result, left and radical groups rose to prominence and political tensions disrupted the collaboration between women’s groups throughout the Cold War.

The text discusses different historical developments in the women's movement. It mentions a case in Sydney, Australia where privileged and working-class women clashed over returning to work for the war effort instead of uniting for higher wages. Communist women were often excluded from feminist movements. The 1960s saw the emergence of the women's liberation movement, which lasted until the early 1980s. During this period, various organizations like National Organization for Women (NOW) were established with the aim of achieving equality for women in social, political, and economic aspects. Notable changes took place, including the encouragement of successful careers for women and the passing of the 1963 Equal Pay Act to ensure equal wages. Moreover, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 promoted equal employment opportunities and federal funding for higher education among female students.

In 1965, the right to privacy was established for all citizens. Later,

in 1973, both state and federal bans on abortion were ruled unconstitutional. Furthermore, during a period of unrest in 1982, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment bill (Stoelzler 261). Consequently, women achieved significant milestones in the 80s: the first female Supreme Court Justice was appointed, the first female astronaut emerged, and the first female included on a major US presidential ticket emerged. The elections of 1992 also marked a crucial achievement for women's rights as a record number of women were elected to public office. This demonstrated progress in the women's rights movement entering its third phase (Stoelzler 269).

Despite the progress made, women still face limitations in attaining complete freedom as many desire. Although significant advancements have been made by women, there remain cultural barriers that need to be overcome. Saravanan highlights that social obstacles are often subtle and challenging to quantify. These obstacles can manifest as unwritten regulations imposed by communities or authorities, lacking any legal justification. For instance, in the southern United States, it is customary for girls to be raised with the notion that a woman's role lies within the household. Attending college may be viewed as a diversion from prioritizing careers, with an emphasis on seeking a spouse and becoming stay-at-home mothers (Uhnde 61).

Positive discrimination can have a significant impact on reducing this situation. The economies of many nations rely on the freedom of women. Although the landscape for women has changed, it is still incomplete as long as some woman's freedoms are being limited.

Works Cited

• Dragiewicz, Molly ; Ruth M. Mann. “Fighting Feminism – Organized Opposition to Women’s Right.” International Journal for Crime, Justice, and Social Democracy 5. 2(2016): 1-5. AVL.
  

Web. 3 July 2016.

"Women’s Movement and Change of Women’s Status in China.” Journal of International Women’s Studies 1. 1(2000): 30-40. AVL. Web. 3 July 2016.

Saravanan, Sheela. “‘Humanitarian’ Thresholds of the Fundamental Feminist Ideologies: Evidence from Surrogacy Arrangements in India.” Journal of Gender and Feminist Studies 1.6 (2016): 66-88.

AVL. Web.

AVL. Web. 3 July 2016.

Web. 3 July 2016.