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Changing rights and freedoms: women
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Women
Topic : Women
In this topic you will learn...
Chapter 1 :
Women in Australia before World War II
The changing role of women in Australia has come about largely through waves of feminism
The first wave brought women the vote in federal elections and later in State elections
Women were seen as nurturers who had no other destiny but to get married and raise children
In Australia it was considered a woman's duty to have children in order to populate the nation
Wealthier women were able to become involved in voluntary philanthropic work because they had domestic servants to take care of chores at home
Poorer women not only had to find paid work but also had to carry the burden of all housework and child-rearing
The notion of what jobs a woman could do expanded during World War I, but women's roles in public life were still very limited
Chapter 2 :
Factors that brought about the women's movement
Australian women activists continued to campaign throughout the early decades of the 20th Century and had some success, but their successes did not often translate to real-life change for women
During the Depression era of the 1930s many women had to focus on survival for themselves and their families
World War II saw many women join the workforce, which led to a rethink of women's capabilities
The post-World War II era was very prosperous and entrenched the idea that women were only destined to be wives and mothers
Early feminists wrote books in the 1950s that questioned the wife and mother roles for women
The contraceptive pill allowed women greater freedom in relationships and also allowed them to plan their lives more
The Vietnam War sparked protests in America and Australia which galvanised women, alongside their male counterparts
Realising that they were not treated as equals by their fellow male students and activists, women started to form their own activist movement that sought their own liberation
Chapter 3 :
The women's liberation movement: its aims and methods
The women's liberation movement grew very rapidly in Australia
Some groups sought to improve women's rights through existing power structures
Other groups tried to find alternative forms of protest and expression
Male-dominated society or 'patriarchy' was a particular target for change
Patriarchy's influence on popular representations of women and men was highlighted in universities
Some women continued to focus on gaining equality for women in work and politics
Others focused on meeting women's specific health and safety needs
Chapter 4 :
Successes of the women's movement
The women's movement brought about significant change to Australian society
Women's health clinics were set up around the country
Shelters and half-way houses were established for women escaping violent husbands
Women won official rights to equal pay and paid childcare
Women also had access to jobs that had been denied to them
Some women were appointed to powerful positions in government, business and organisations
Laws encouraging equal opportunity were enacted around the country
Other laws helped women with regard to marriage, divorce and single parenting
Girls were encouraged to study subjects like science and sport that had always been male-dominated
Many education campaigns sought to raise awareness in society about women's rights
Chapter 5 :
Women in Australia now
There are different views about how much impact the women's liberation movement has had on Australia
There is more recognition of violence against women but the violence has not necessarily decreased
Laws attempting to create equal pay and equal opportunity for women do not ensure these things for women
Women have been able to reach high positions in politics, the professions and business
Women's and men's roles in the home have changed little despite the women's movement
Education has improved in terms of female/male equality
Overall there are greater possibilities for women now but few women are able to exercise them
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