The Status of Women_x000B_ in the 20th Century Germany Essay Example
The status of women in the 20th century Germany
-patriarchal society by tradition -men’s domination in both public and private spheres - the women’s role in German society circumscribed by the three “K” words: Kinder, Kirche and Küche
Weimar Republic
-numerous freedoms as compared to the past -the most notable gains: • the right to vote • the secondary education
Women in Nazi Germany
A common rhyme for women:
"Take hold of kettle, broom and pan, Then you’ll surely get a man! Shop and office leave alone, Your true life work lies at home."
THE MOTHERHOOD CROSS
Wartime slogan: “I have donated a child to the Führer“
A Lebensborn birth house
“NS-Frauen Warte”
Post-war years: the removal of ruins
Trümmerfrauen (women of the rubble)
The Trümmerfrauen would form human chains to pass usable bricks to a collection point where they were cleaned and stacked.
Trümmerfrauen Memorial
West Germany
-traditional marriage became society’s ideal; -women became homemakers and mothers and withdrew from employment outside the home; -employment and social welfare programs were predicated on the male breadwinner model; -women played a crucial role in shaping West German culture in the ‘60s by consuming American-style products and keeping a technologically modern household; -the Equal Rights Law introduced positive changes for women: abolished husbands’ automatic right to manage property brought into the marriage by the wife; -expanded educational opportunities for women were slow in coming; -the women’s movement in 1970 determined the law of 1977 that granted women’s equal rights in marriage: women could work outside the home and file for divorce without her husband’s permission;
East Germany
-women remained in the workforce; -the Soviet-style system mandated women’s participation in the economy; -government opened up educational & vocational opportunities for women; -the marriage and family laws were rewritten to accommodate working
-patriarchal society by tradition -men’s domination in both public and private spheres - the women’s role in German society circumscribed by the three “K” words: Kinder, Kirche and Küche
Weimar Republic
-numerous freedoms as compared to the past -the most notable gains: • the right to vote • the secondary education
Women in Nazi Germany
A common rhyme for women:
"Take hold of kettle, broom and pan, Then you’ll surely get a man! Shop and office leave alone, Your true life work lies at home."
THE MOTHERHOOD CROSS
Wartime slogan: “I have donated a child to the Führer“
A Lebensborn birth house
“NS-Frauen Warte”
Post-war years: the removal of ruins
Trümmerfrauen (women of the rubble)
The Trümmerfrauen would form human chains to pass usable bricks to a collection point where they were cleaned and stacked.
Trümmerfrauen Memorial
West Germany
-traditional marriage became society’s ideal; -women became homemakers and mothers and withdrew from employment outside the home; -employment and social welfare programs were predicated on the male breadwinner model; -women played a crucial role in shaping West German culture in the ‘60s by consuming American-style products and keeping a technologically modern household; -the Equal Rights Law introduced positive changes for women: abolished husbands’ automatic right to manage property brought into the marriage by the wife; -expanded educational opportunities for women were slow in coming; -the women’s movement in 1970 determined the law of 1977 that granted women’s equal rights in marriage: women could work outside the home and file for divorce without her husband’s permission;
East Germany
-women remained in the workforce; -the Soviet-style system mandated women’s participation in the economy; -government opened up educational & vocational opportunities for women; -the marriage and family laws were rewritten to accommodate working