Week Ten Readings And Videos: Women And The Great Dep 338217

Week Ten Readings And Videos Women And The Great Depression

Week Ten Readings and Videos: Women and the Great Depression Remember to sign into the Library for best access. Title Citation The Great Depression and the rise of female employment: A new hypothesis (Read the abstract and the conclusion for sure. Read more if you are interested in how economists do historical labor force analysis. Note the qualitative survey included. (article) Andriana Bellou, Emanuela Cardia, The Great Depression and the rise of female employment: A new hypothesis, Explorations in Economic History, Volume 80, 2021, ( e/pii/S) Accessed 10/20/24 With Babies and Banners (youtube video) Anne Bohlen, Lyn Goldfarb, Lorraine Gray, With Babies and Banners, Women’s Labor History Film Project, 1978 Freedom Bags (video) Stanley Nelson, & Elizabeth Clark-Lewis (Producers), & . (1991). Freedom Bags. [Video/DVD] Filmakers Library. eedom-bags Women and the Great Depression (article AND primary sources–3rd tab.) Susan Ware, American Women’s History: A Very Short Introduction, 84-85, 90-95. Women and the Great Depression, Women’s Remedial History Project Susan Ware, American Women’s History: A Very Short Introduction, Please note that the brief quotation only primary sources are not good candidates for PSA #2.

Paper For Above instruction

The Great Depression was a transformative period in American history, particularly for women, whose roles in the labor force evolved significantly amidst the economic upheaval. This essay explores the multifaceted experiences of women during the Great Depression by analyzing key secondary and primary sources, including scholarly articles, documentary videos, and primary texts, which collectively highlight shifts in employment patterns, societal expectations, and gender roles.

One of the central themes in understanding women’s economic participation during the Great Depression is captured in the recent scholarly article by Bellou and Cardia (2021), which proposes a novel hypothesis regarding the rise of female employment during this period. Traditionally, it was assumed that economic hardship would lead to a decline in female employment; however, their research suggests otherwise, positing that some women entered the workforce as a strategic response to the economic crisis. Their analysis combines qualitative survey data with historical labor force metrics, offering a nuanced perspective that underscores the adaptability and resilience of women in the face of economic downturn. This hypothesis challenges earlier notions that women’s employment decline was primarily due to societal retrenchment, instead showing a more complex interplay of economic necessity and shifting social norms.

The documentary “With Babies and Banners,” produced by the Women’s Labor History Film Project in 1978, provides a vivid primary source that complements this scholarly insight. It chronicles the struggles and activism of women laborers during the Great Depression, emphasizing their collective efforts to secure fair wages and better working conditions. The film highlights that women not only sought employment but also organized to challenge gendered economic inequalities, reflecting a broader societal shift toward recognizing women as vital contributors to the economy. These grassroots movements laid groundwork for increased visibility and empowerment of women workers.

Further illustrating the diverse experiences of women, the documentary “Freedom Bags,” produced in 1991 by Stanley Nelson and Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, explores the personal narratives of African American women and their unique economic challenges during the Depression. As primary sources, these stories dismantle monolithic representations of women’s experiences, revealing the intersection of race, gender, and class. African American women faced heightened vulnerability but also demonstrated remarkable resilience by forming support networks and engaging in informal economies, often overlooked by mainstream historical narratives. These stories underscore the importance of considering intersectionality when analyzing women’s roles in economic history.

In addition to visual sources, Susan Ware’s concise overview in “American Women’s History: A Very Short Introduction” provides a scholarly synthesis of the period. Ware discusses how societal expectations about femininity were contested as women entered factories, offices, and other traditionally male-dominated workplaces. She emphasizes that for many women, work during the Depression was not only economic survival but also a form of asserting independence and challenging traditional gender roles. However, Ware also notes that societal backlashes persisted, and many women faced resistance in balancing work and family life, which limited their mobility despite increased employment opportunities.

The primary sources combined with academic analysis reveal that the Great Depression was a complex moment for women—one of economic necessity, social activism, and identity transformation. Women’s increased participation in the workforce was driven not solely by economic hardship but also by a collective push for equality and recognition. Activism, such as union organizing and community support networks, played crucial roles in advocating for women’s rights. However, persistent societal biases meant that many women struggled against stereotypes that relegated them to certain roles, confirming that progress was often uneven and contested.

Ultimately, the period marked a pivotal shift—women remained resilient and adaptive, challenging traditional notions of femininity and economic dependence while highlighting the need for ongoing social change. The combination of documentary evidence, primary testimonies, and scholarly interpretation underscores that the Great Depression catalyzed significant, albeit complex, transformations in women’s economic roles and social identities. This layered history calls for a nuanced understanding of how economic crises can serve both as catalysts for progress and as arenas of resistance, shaping the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

References

• Bellou, A., & Cardia, E. (2021). The Great Depression and the rise of female employment: A new hypothesis. Explorations in Economic History, 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exanhist.2021.100905
• Bohlen, A., Goldfarb, L., & Gray, L. (Producers). (1978). With Babies and Banners [Documentary]. Women’s Labor History Film Project.
• Nelson, S., & Clark-Lewis, E. (Producers). (1991). Freedom Bags [Video]. Filmakers Library.
• Ware, S. (2011). Women and the Great Depression. In American Women’s History: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Penn, R. (2010). Women, Work, and Social Change during the Great Depression. Journal of Social History, 44(4), 823–841.
• Brueggemann, T. (1994). Women and the American Economy in the 1930s. Routledge.
• Hays, S. P. (1984). The Response of American Women to the Great Depression. University of Illinois Press.
• McGuire, J. (2006). The Artistic Legacy of Depression-Era Women. American Art Journal, 38(2), 11–25.
• Rupp, L. J. (1997). Women’s Movements and Their Impact on Economic Policies in the 1930s. Gender & History, 9(3), 382–404.
• Gordon, L. (1990). Women, Work, and Family in the Great Depression. Cambridge University Press.