History of North America

How sexist was America in the 1930s?

America was a very sexist society in the 1930s. Women were not allowed to vote until 1920, and they were still denied many other opportunities that were available to men. For example, women were not allowed to serve in the military, they were not allowed to hold high-ranking jobs in politics or business, and they were often paid less than men for the same work.

In the 1930s, there was also a strong belief that women were inferior to men. This was reflected in popular culture, such as movies and advertisements. For example, movies often portrayed women as weak and emotional, while advertisements depicted women as being primarily responsible for housework and childcare.

The sexism of the 1930s had a significant impact on women's lives. Women were often trapped in low-paying jobs, and they were denied the opportunity to reach their full potential. This sexism also made it difficult for women to gain respect from their male counterparts.

However, there were some signs of progress in the 1930s. The New Deal provided some economic relief for women, and the suffrage movement helped to raise awareness of women's rights. In addition, some women began to challenge the traditional gender roles that they were expected to fulfill. These challenges laid the groundwork for the women's movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

Despite the progress that has been made, sexism still exists in America today. However, the sexism of the 1930s was a very different kind of sexism than the sexism that we see today. In the 1930s, sexism was more overt and institutionalized. Today, sexism is more subtle and often operates on a subconscious level. This makes it more difficult to identify and combat.