Australian women in WW2 essays

Australian women in WW2 essays The coming of World War II in 1939 saw almost 800 thousand Australian men and women leave the country serving the Australian Armed Forces. For the many women left behind this created vast opportunities for them to develop their economical and social status. Their patriotism was targeted in many areas, including paid work, romance and motherhood. They became highly independent parents and in the work force and many Australian women found romance in the visiting American soldiers. With hardly any men left in the country Australian women's patriotism was called upon, the work that they had traditionally done in the home was seen as unnecessary, and they were called upon to enter the 'real work force', or jobs that had previously been seen as men's work.. The government and private industry had realised the enormous potential of a mobilised work force of women. Many of the tasks undertaken by women initially caused surprise and some open debate, but it was not long before scenes of women working in factories and with heavy machinery ceased to be unusual. Women were encouraged to fill the gap that the men had left in the work force and enter areas of work including munitions, factory work and other auxiliary services. Many women undertook intensive training on machinery and production procedures to ensure the supply of products essential to Australia's war effort. Women working in the jobs classified as men's were receiving 90% of the male wage, while women who stayed in work that could not be left, like clothing and textiles remained at only 65% of the male wage. There was great concern about the introduction of women to the work force, particularly their suitability and whether or not they would maintain their femininity. There was also fears that women in uniform would develop lesbian tendencies and cause men to be obsolete. This, ofcourse, was untrue and it was also proven that women were just as worthy in the work place a ...