By taking what might have been expected of girls and boys born at the start of the twentieth century, before the First World War, and tracing the changing experiences of generations born towards the middle and end of the twentieth century, we can gain an insight into the evolving roles of men and women in Britain. Because expectations for (and of) the young are shaped by the experiences of their predecessors as well as the changing environment, this look at history may help to make sense of the opportunities facing young people in the twenty-first century. Figures 1 and 2 summarise some experiences of people born at 12–year intervals (roughly half a generation) since 1910.
In this article, Heather Joshi looks at some of the major changes to women’s lives from the start of the twentieth century to the present day, putting such changes into a historical perspective. She shows the various social, economic and cultural forces at work shaping the lives of both men and women, not forgetting to point out the class differences that existed and continue to exert an influence. It is always useful for students to be able to put discussions about gender and changes in gender roles and achievement into a historical context, and to be aware that experiences vary by social class and by generation. This article will benefit all students, as the study of gender is a central feature of sociology.
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