Life for Women in the 1920s

Traditional Women

What did they wear?

• Restrictive clothes
• No make-up
• Behave politely

What jobs did they have?

• Most women were expected to be housewives
• Very few paid jobs were open to women such as:
  • Cleaning
  • Dressmaking
  • Secretarial work

How did they spend their leisure time?

• At home, cleaning, cooking or taking care of children

How did they act out in public?

• Had to have a chaperone when going out in public with their boyfriends
• Not to partake in sport
• Not to smoke nor drink

Modern Women

What did they wear?

• More daring clothes
• Wore make-up

What jobs did they have?

• Typically took up jobs created by new industries
• There were 10 million women in jobs in 1929, 24% more than in 1920

How did they spend their leisure time?

• Smoked and drank in public
• Went out with men without a chaperone accompanying

How did they act out in public

• Smoked and drank
• Went out with men without a chaperone accompanying