When the word war is mentioned everyone thinks of those soldiers who left their lives to go and fight for their county. However most people forget about what effects the war had on people back home such as the women...
A major effect was that there were no men to marry between 1914 and 1918 due to the army enlistment. So if a women was not married or attached to a men before the war the chances of finding an eligible man were slim. Over 400,000 Australian men went to war and approximately 60,000 died and 150,000 wounded, therefore there wasn't many young, capable bachelors left in society.
If you husband did thankfully return from war he was probably injured which meant you had no time left on your hands. The wives became nurses to their husbands responding to their every need. The men were also changed men after they came back from war. They had killed men, they had seen their fellow mates killed or shot. They experienced depression long after the war. Some found it difficult to settle back in to their daily routine. Others were violent and more aggressive after the traumatizing experience. If you husband did not return you were left as a widow who had to fend for yourself and your children. It was a big struggle to feed and clothe and care for your children if there was not a large abundant of money coming in. You as a widow had to find a good paying job. Unfortunately a high percentage of Australian women were widows.
Education before the war was not of high importance and wasn’t regarded as useful to the women due to the fact they only stayed home and did housework. However after experiencing the different occupations during the war they believed that women needed to be educated so they could be as helpful and knowledgeable as the men in those areas. This change was slow to take effect but the future of women’s occupations and purpose in life had been improved and had opened more doors during and after the war. The war did have this beneficial effect on the women’s role in society. If it weren’t for the war and the demand of men most women presently would still be tied to the house doing housework for a living.
Fashion also was one of the changes made due to the war. Previously, Australian women had tried to be the replica of British fashion such as lace, frills, skirts and corsets which were incredibly inappropriate for the weather Australia received in the summer months. The war time experiences had altered the way Australians saw fashion. The women began to develop their own fashion sense and style which was suitable for the climate. Hem lines were shorter and the legs were more exposed. High heels were introduced as well as the American slack-like, drop-waisted dresses. Clothes were less bulky or heavy and became more revealing.
A major effect was that there were no men to marry between 1914 and 1918 due to the army enlistment. So if a women was not married or attached to a men before the war the chances of finding an eligible man were slim. Over 400,000 Australian men went to war and approximately 60,000 died and 150,000 wounded, therefore there wasn't many young, capable bachelors left in society.
If you husband did thankfully return from war he was probably injured which meant you had no time left on your hands. The wives became nurses to their husbands responding to their every need. The men were also changed men after they came back from war. They had killed men, they had seen their fellow mates killed or shot. They experienced depression long after the war. Some found it difficult to settle back in to their daily routine. Others were violent and more aggressive after the traumatizing experience. If you husband did not return you were left as a widow who had to fend for yourself and your children. It was a big struggle to feed and clothe and care for your children if there was not a large abundant of money coming in. You as a widow had to find a good paying job. Unfortunately a high percentage of Australian women were widows.
Education before the war was not of high importance and wasn’t regarded as useful to the women due to the fact they only stayed home and did housework. However after experiencing the different occupations during the war they believed that women needed to be educated so they could be as helpful and knowledgeable as the men in those areas. This change was slow to take effect but the future of women’s occupations and purpose in life had been improved and had opened more doors during and after the war. The war did have this beneficial effect on the women’s role in society. If it weren’t for the war and the demand of men most women presently would still be tied to the house doing housework for a living.
Fashion also was one of the changes made due to the war. Previously, Australian women had tried to be the replica of British fashion such as lace, frills, skirts and corsets which were incredibly inappropriate for the weather Australia received in the summer months. The war time experiences had altered the way Australians saw fashion. The women began to develop their own fashion sense and style which was suitable for the climate. Hem lines were shorter and the legs were more exposed. High heels were introduced as well as the American slack-like, drop-waisted dresses. Clothes were less bulky or heavy and became more revealing.