Slacks and calluses free essay sample

Slacks and Calluses: Our Summer in a Bomber Factory Women had different perspectives during World War 2. Many served in different branches of armed forces. Some labored in war productions plants. Most women stayed at home and had other responsibilities to raise children, balance check books, and some labored in war-related office Jobs, while the men went to war. In addition to factory work and other front Jobs about 350,000 women Joined the Armed services, serving at home and abroad. Rosie the Riveter, later became a popular propaganda for women. While women worked in a variety of positions closed to them the industry saw the greatest increase in females workers. More than 310,000 women worked in the U. S. aircraft industry in 1943, representing 65 percent of the industry total workforce. The industry recruited women workers, represented by the U. S. government. In Slacks and Calluses these women were employed at Consolidated Voltee Aircraft, located in San Diego. We will write a custom essay sample on Slacks and calluses or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This book relates to the daily duties, shifting norms and the work stages in the summer of 1943. Swing shift on a 8-24 production lives at a bomber plant. Two women by the names of Constance Bowman and Clara Marie Allen told the story of what went on daily while they worked at the bomber plant. A couple of questions needed to be answered though. What does Slacks and Calluses reveal about social class in lives of women? Does Slacks and Calluses support the idea that the country eagerly embraced the idea of women leaving the home to work in factories for war production? Did the women in the factories work there out of a sense of patriotism, or because they lacked other opportunities? The social class tension caused by the real work as teachers slowly faded away. They quickly realized that teaching was not their real Jobs anymore. Towards the end of summer they encourage women line workers who have not finished their high school diploma to commit themselves to that goal. The way women dressed started to impact a role. Women were starting to look more masculine because of the uniforms that they had to work in. The only time women were treated like ladies were when they wore skirts. People looked at these women as working class, and they were always being ignored and disrespected. Women were not taken seriously or given uch attention. Employers denied women positions of power excluding them from the decision-making process of the company. Women wanted to be treated like the male workers and not given special consideration Just because they were women. The country had no choice but to have the women in the factories. They needed their help and were not going to complain about it. They knew with extra hands that, that was going to be an easier way to win the war. The government called on to the women and without hesitation, they went. They answered to whatever work that needed to be done. They worked a 52 hour week at 68 cents per hour. They were all prepared and knew that their summer Jobs would end soon. There work dominated their nights and days. Most of their work was outdoors as well. Even though some women would much rather be at home helping there families other ways they still managed to get their other Job complete as well. Many people question if women went into the war because of patriotism or depending on age, race, class, marital status, and number of children. They switch from lower-paying female Jobs to higher-paying factory Jobs. While patriotism nfluenced women, ultimately it was the economic incentives that convinced them to work. In Slacks and Calluses these two women, Constance and Clara Marie did a fantastic Job while worker in San Diego. Other female fields were teaching, nursing, and doing other domestic labor work, while Constance and Clara Marie were out working with the men, along with others. They navigated their way through a working world and learned how to build a lot of things. These women were known as Rosie the Riveter. They were the loyal, patriotic, and pretty women. These women were atriotic and eager to re-feminized through their work and clothing. They traded there linen suits and swooping hats in for blue cotton factory slacks and sturdy shoes. They packed a few tools or whatever they thought would help. They suffered with aching muscles and feet, grimy hands, and lost out on tons of sleep. It came to the point where female clerks were no longer polite and men would no longer offer their seats to them if it was crowded on buses. They were started to be treated as if they were men. So many of these women were patriotic and cared about their country enough to help. Not a lot of women would take the time to get made fun of Just because. They knew that their country needed them and most of them would do anything to help. During World War 2 the image of women changed. It was only temporary though. But the road took by women in the work force during World War 2 did continue in the future. Constance and Clara Marie became a big impact on the women who helped out during this time. They took all kinds of criticism not only from people they sometimes worked with but mostly outsiders. But they became stronger women and were able to fght through anything.