Prior to the first world war

Prior to the first world war, women were usually housewives; taking care of the children, preparing the food. Some women were even working in textile factories. In Great Britain about 11 to 13 percent of women worked in domestic services. In the early 1900s, women were working in “sweated” industries, stitching shoes, making chains, nails, shirts, etc. Not only did they have to work in these factories, they had work at home too. They had to often take care of the food, children, small animals and cleaning. During the war from 1914 to 1918, women had to take on the jobs that were often occupied by men. These jobs included being railroad guards, ticket collectors, bus and train operators, police, firefighters, postal workers, etc. The British government even used propaganda to encourage women to take on the jobs that were vacant from the war. It was vital for women to work in the factories and to take on the jobs that the men were performing prior to the war.