Journal Article Analysis

My article “Careless Girls and Repentant Wives: Gender in Postwar Classroom Films” is an article that describes life for women during post war years.  The article describes the role of women in society and the many films that were produced to target them and teach them how they should act and behave.  Before World War II took place the role of women in society was to stay at home, have babies, cook clean and take care of the husbands.  This was a traditional role of women since the beginning of time and was simply required by all women to adhere to these roles and if not be considered outcasts to their society.  It was not until World War II took place that the gender role of women in America would change and change forever.  While the soldiers were off to war it is said that fathers being away from their families had a great impact on the children and how the behaved.  Children were becoming ruthless, partying, drinking, doing drugs and being complete rebels to society.  Bills were not being paid, food in the homes were running low and children were out looking to fill the voids in their hearts.  In order to take control of their ruthless behavior many classrooms began teaching about the roles of women and men in society and the etiquette behavior that each of them should possess. 

Girls were taught separate from the boys and were shown many short films about how to restrain from sexual urges and how to keep boys in line on a date.  They were taught over and over that their bodies are special and that they have the power to control their sexual desires whereas boys cannot and that they should assume all responsibility or suffer great consequences if not.  These short films were a success in their teachings so much so that many big movie producers took notice and began filming big movie productions in order to keep up with the current trend.  Films like “Toward Emotional Maturity” was a film produced by Knickerbocker Productions in 1954.  During the film Hank suggest to Sally that they should make a stop at the park to go make out and Sally suggest she would think about it.  On their way from the spring dance they make it to the turning point of the park and Sally is confronting with making her final decision.  In doing so Sally began having flash backs of times she was faced with events that taught her how to control her emotions.  For example she has a flash back of a time her psychologist teacher threw a snake in the classroom to teach them about emotions, next when she spotted her boyfriend making out with another girl and last when a school pep rally turned dangerous and caused her great fear.  This was a mere example to young girls that they are the ones in control and should use past experiences to build up self-confidence to make educated decisions about their bodies.  After her flashbacks, the movies ends with Sally stating “let’s just go home” and the both of them ending the date with a nice mature hug. 

Another point that the article hit in describing the role of women in society was the role of women in the workforce and how it affects their families.  During the war, many women began having to take on the role of being providers for their households.  In doing what they had to do they decided to take off their aprons put on their pants and hit the workforce in order to gain income to care for them and their families.  When the war was finally over and the troops returned home society was expected to return back to normal.  Women would stop working and return where they were to attend to their families and care for their homes.  Not too many women took this lightly, the sense of pride that they felt of being able to do what they were told they could never do was so liberating to them.  They begin to feel independent and gained a sense of achievement and felt that they could conquer the world.  While some women returned to their families others did not and remained in the work force gaining extra income and contributing to their households.  Eventually society began to adapt to working women and many secretarial jobs were created and fulfilled by women.  However married women who began neglecting their homes and personal appearance because of work were looked down upon and many films produced during this time depict how this would bring destruction to their lives and families. 

For example, the film “Who’s Boss” produced in 1950 shows a couple Mike and Ginny going through the waves of marriage because of their different views and opinion of gender role.  Mike, a news reporter and Ginny a newspaper photographer are shown having many communication issues.  Although the film was designed to show the importance of communication between husband and wife it is clearly evident that the film is designed to show the destruction brought on a family by a woman not knowing her place.  For instance throughout the film it shows several clips of Mike becoming increasingly unhappy with Ginny not being able to keep the house clean because she’s working too late.  Not keeping up with her personal appearance, buying extravagant things with her money, or interrupting and talking over him while out in public.  Eventually they get a divorce and Ginny is left in tears wondering what happened and where did things go wrong to which she realizes is her fault.   

While these are just a few main points, the article touches base on many films that were produced to portray the image of numerous roles of women in society.  Roles ranging from: office etiquette, personal appearance, self-respect, marriage, divorce, balance and much more.  Depending on which lifestyle or path the women choose, it is ultimately her responsibility to maintain her self-image and respect for her family.  Failure to do so will bring much pain chaos and destruction all created at her hands. 

When it comes to whether or not I agree with the authors main points I would have to say that I agree to some degree.  Of course my concern would be “what about the men” and why are women being singled out, but seeing that this article was specifically focused and targeted at women I had to be more open minded.  Being a young women born in the 80’s I did not have an opportunity to witness or be a part of the role of women in the early 40’s and 50’s.  Being a woman of great independence and self-respect I have a different view point on life and I rather enjoy my freedom of choice as far as my body.  Knowing the role of women in society in the 40’s and 50’s I do not agree with how the woman was the target of blame for any sexual activity that took place over her body.  I don’t agree with the fact that she was the one who had to assume all responsibility and keep her date (the male) in line because he could not control his sexual urges.  After all it has been proven that many women enjoy sex just as much as men, so why couldn’t both parties be responsible for their own actions? 

Besides that I do however, agree with the point the author made in terms of married women needing to find balance in the homes and careers.  Too many times to we hear the same story about destruction in the households and divorce rates rising, because women are not letting men be men and are stepping out of boundaries by emasculating them.  Not saying I agree that women should give up their careers and follow their husband’s dreams and neglect their own.  I just believe that being able to find balance is necessary in every relationship and is a healthy choice for wives and their families.    

This article is important because it gives us insight on the traditional gender roles of society.  It lets us know who we are, why we behave certain ways, and how we got to where we are now.  Being able to understand the role of women in society during the early 40’s and 50’s gives me a sense of relief and gratitude for the women who fought for their rights and paved the way so that I could be the independent career minded individual I am today.