Women in the armed forces
I can describe how women's roles changed during the Second World War and explain why their roles changed.
Women in the armed forces
I can describe how women's roles changed during the Second World War and explain why their roles changed.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Before the Second World War, women were expected to take care of domestic matters rather than working.
- If women did work, they were mainly employed in shops, domestic service or nursing - jobs thought to be ‘women’s jobs’.
- In December 1941, women were conscripted for the first time in British history; they could now do ‘men’s jobs’.
- Women worked in munitions, aircraft and tank factories, in shipbuilding or farming.
- Women also joined the armed forces as part of the WAAF, ATS or WRNS.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that only women from Britain served in the armed forces.
Highlight how thousands of women from across the British Empire at the time joined organisations like the ATS to help the British war effort.
Keywords
Domestic - things that are to do with the home are described as domestic
Domestic service - working in someone else's home is known as domestic service
Conscription - forcing people to join the armed forces is known as conscription; people in World War Two were conscripted
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the women’s branch of the British Air Force during WWII
the women’s branch of the British Army during WWII
the women’s branch of the British Navy during WWII