Many women’s lives changed in various ways during World War II. Women were mobilised in very different manners in the United States and Nazi Germany. The role of women was a contested aspect of the war as perceptions of women’s roles at the time were influenced by ideas and propaganda. In the United States, with a lot less men in the workforce, women were compelled to take on jobs that were primarily done by men both in the workforce and at home. Whereas Nazi Germany, especially Hitler, had very contrasting views regarding the role of women during World War II compared to the USA. During this time, Hitler believed that women were to look after the children and be good wives. Propaganda presented to women in the United States of America reflected the need for women to be liberated and serve the country. While on the other hand, German propagan
da largely demonstrated the need for women to take care of their families. In America, due to the wide range of new work opportunities that had never been available to women before, their lives were transformed. On the contrary, it is important to recognise Hitlers belief that women must not work and must be good wives and take care of the children did not benefit women in the way that the opportunities presented to women in the United States did. Many women were so grateful for this new opportunity that when men returned from the war, they were replaced by the men and lots of women started feeling useless as they were no longer serving their country. Over time, the mobilisation of women during World War II had an effect on deciding whether or not women and men should be equals inside and outside or the workforce, which is a relevant topic today.