New
New
Year 9
The changing role of women in post-war Britain
I can recall that many women remained in the workforce after WW2, and that women would campaign for equal pay and treatment.
New
New
Year 9
The changing role of women in post-war Britain
I can recall that many women remained in the workforce after WW2, and that women would campaign for equal pay and treatment.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- During WW2, many women entered the workforce or were conscripted into military support services.
- In the late 1940s, labour shortages meant women were encouraged to re-enter the labour market.
- Women were seen as secondary workers and were paid less than men.
- Women campaigned for equal pay throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with teachers granted equal pay in 1955.
- Many married women undertook paid work in the 1960s but still faced significant discrimination.
Keywords
Conscript - to call someone up for compulsory military service
Labour shortage - when there are not enough workers to meet demand
Common misconception
Students might not realise that women as well as men were conscripted during WW2.
In 1940, single women aged 20-30, and widowed women without children, were conscripted into war work.
Teachers could explain the concept of total war, and how all resources were drawn upon to win the war, so women as well as men were drawn into the conflict in various roles.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- 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).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which term describes the transfer of an industry or business from private to government ownership?
Q2.
Complete the sentence: The Labour government justified their post-WW2 policies with their belief in .
Q3.
Which major industries were the last to be nationalised?
coal
electricity
railways
Q4.
Why did the Conservatives continue to keep key industries nationalised despite their opposition to the policy?
It had helped the economy to recover in the long-term.
It had proved unpopular with the British public.
Q5.
Which of the following statements were positives of nationalisation?
The economy was stagnant in the 1970s.
The government had to compensate the former industry owners.
Q6.
What happened to nationalised industries in the 1980s?
They remained in government hands.
They were sold to international governments.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which term describes when there are not enough workers to meet demand?
Q2.
Complete the sentence: To call someone up for compulsory military service is to them.
Q3.
How many women were involved in work for the Land Army during WW2?
25 000
45 000
85 000
Q4.
How many married women in Britain had paid jobs of any kind in the 1930s?
2 in 5
3 in 10
4 in 5
Q5.
What subjects did schooling for girls continue to focus on immediately post-WW2?
mathematics
chemistry
history
physical education
Q6.
In what year was the Equal Pay Act passed?
1950
1955
1965
1970
Additional material
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