Question

Anyone want to read my essay? It's due tomorrow.

Answer 1

Outline the role of women in the 1950s. (5 marks)
The role of women in the 1950s was traditionally to dedicate their entire life to household duties and being an obedient wife and caring mother. Women were expected to be a diligent, hardworking housewife, completing chores such as cooking dinner, laundry, or cleaning. When her husband arrived home from work, she was encouraged to make him comfortable by letting him speak about his day first and having dinner ready for him. Being a good wife consisted of pleasing her husband, carrying out his wishes, and agreeing with his every word. A woman's traditional role placed limitations on her dreams, such as completing education and pursuing a career. Popular television shows at the time such as 'The Donna Reed Show' and 'Father Knows Best' depicted women being a good wife and suggested that happiness resulted from men and women living according to their traditional roles. In summary, the role of women in the 1950s consisted of household duties and pleasing her husband and children.


Describe the different actions taken by women during the post-war period to secure improvement to their rights and freedoms. (5 marks)
Various actions have been taken by women during the post-war period to secure improvement to their rights and freedoms, such as the Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL), the 1972 march at Town Hall, and individuals such as Germaine Greer, Merle Thornton and Rosalie Bogner, and Zelda D'Aprano. The Women's Electoral Lobby, founded in 1972, aimed to achieve fair treatment for women and end the injustices women had dealt with, through actions such as protesting. By gaining publicity through television, they achieved rights for women including child care, family planning, and women's health. The 1972 march at Town Hall expressed women's support for each other and increased awareness of the rights, such as equal pay, that women wanted and deserved. Germaine Greer published an influential book titled, 'The Female Eunuch', which inspired women to question their rights and stereotypical roles, and encouraged them to take action as independent, strong-willed women who were ready to change a women's place in society. In 1965, two women's liberationists, Merle Thornton and Rosalie Bogner, chained themselves to the Regatta Hotel bar rail to protest against laws that banned women from drinking in hotels, resulting in recognition of women's rights. Zelda D'Aprano, who was concerned with women's rights in the workplace, chained herself to the Commonwealth Building in Melbourne in 1969 to protest for equal pay for women. Overall, many actions taken by women have been significant to improve their rights and freedoms during the post war period.

To what extent did government contribute to improving the rights and freedoms of women in post-war Australia? (15 marks).
Various governments, such as the Whitlam government and the Hawke government, have significantly contributed to improving the rights and freedoms of women in post-war Australia. Success was achieved through individuals such as Elizabeth Reid and primarily through legislation including the Equal Pay Case, Family Law Act, Sex-Discrimination Act, and Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunity For Women) Act. Legislation such as these positively changed the life of women for generations to come.

In 1973, Elizabeth Reid was the world's first woman to receive the title of Woman's Advisor to the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. She proved that women were just as capable as men and promoted women's independence and determination. The granting of this title to Elizabeth Reid proved that there was commitment to women's rights being recognised and improved.

The Equal Pay Case of 1972 recognised the injustices of women in the workplace and established equal pay for work of the same value.Women were usually paid lower female rates for work that was similar to that of males, which was unfair and discriminated women. There was protest for the same rate of pay for both men and women who completed work of equal value, and eventually this issue was recognised and improved by the introduction of the Equal Pay Case. In summary, the government contributed to improving the rights and freedoms of women in post-war Australia by introducing the Equal Pay Case of 1973.

The Family Law Act of 1975 established the no-fault divorce, which assisted in removing the social stigma relating to divorce at that time. It allowed a woman who had escaped an abusive relationship with her husband to no longer be labelled as 'guilty', as the title had previously proved difficult for women to obtain property and gain custody of children. Overall, the no-fault divorce, established under the Family Law Act of 1975, assisted in the recognition and improvement of women's rights and freedoms.

The Sex-Discrimation Act of 1984 made it illegal to discriminate of the basis of sex, marital status, or pregnancy. Additionally, it banned the discrimination of employees with family responsibilities and made public sexual harassment illegal. This legislation identified factors contributing to discrimination and implemented action in order to address the issue of direct and indirect sex discrimination. In summary, the Sex-Discrimination Act of 1984 greatly contributed to the improvement of women's rights and freedoms.

The Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunity For Women) Act of 1986 was a government policy that instructed employers to assist and encourage women to gain equal promotion and employment. Employers needed to identify discrimination in their workplace and implement strategies that would fairly allow women to progress in their career. Employers were also required to establish the office of the Director of Affirmative Action. Overall, the Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunity for Women) Act of 1986 assisted in the achievement of improving women's rights and freedoms in the workplace.

Conclusively, actions by various governments, such as the Whitlam government and the Hawke government, have significantly contributed to improving the rights and freedoms of women in post-war Australia. Individuals such as Elizabeth Reid and legislation including the Equal Pay Case, Family Law Act, Sex-Discrimination Act, and Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunity For Women) Act significantly contributed to improved rights and freedoms of women for years to come.

Answer 2

@jadaaaa

Answer 3

Your essay is very informative and detailed. You'll definitely earn a great grade on it!

Answer 4

thankyou! I hope so :) @jadaaaa