UNITED STATES OFFICE OF WAR INFORMATION

Prior to WWII there were few women in the labor force, and the traditional “values” of American society relegated women to be homemakers. However with so many men under arms, there were not enough workers to achieve the war production that was necessary. So changes had to be made in public attitudes, not only towards women working, but the nature of the work that they are capable of and ought to be doing. So the government took a proactive role in changing public attitudes towards women in the workforce. It was a successful effort, and the sociological and psychological effects are still felt, half a century later. See {584781}.

This quotation, over half a century later, was cited to show the contrast in the requested role of the American public during the War on Terror / Iraq War and in WWII. Every citizen in WWII had an important role involving personal and family effort and sacrifice, while the George W. Bush administration in contrast did not initiate oil utilization conservation, or ask the public to buy war bonds, pay additional taxes. Instead Americans were told to travel more and spend money.

This quotation, over half a century later, was cited to show the contrast in the requested role of the American public during the War on Terror / Iraq War and in WWII. Every citizen in WWII had an important role involving personal and family effort and sacrifice, while the George W. Bush administration in contrast did not initiate oil utilization conservation, or ask the public to buy war bonds, pay additional taxes. Instead Americans were told to travel more and spend money.

Prior to WWII there were few women in the labor force, and the traditional “values” of American society relegated women to be homemakers. However with so many men under arms, there were not enough workers to achieve the war production that was necessary. So changes had to be made in public attitudes, not only towards women working, but the nature of the work that they are capable of and ought to be doing. So the government took a proactive role in changing public attitudes towards women in the workforce. It was a successful effort, and the sociological and psychological effects are still felt, half a century later. See {584781}.