Publisher's Synopsis
This series looks at the involvement of women in various aspects of history from the late 18th century to the present day. Each book explores a particular theme, and through documentary evidence, quotations and contemporary pictures, evaluates the often neglected contribution ordinary women and more well-known figures have played in shaping history. This series provides background reading for GCSE studies and Standard Grade in Scotland.;This book examines the changing pattern of women's work from the Industrial Revolution to the present day. It highlights the impact of the two World Wars on job opportunities and discusses legislation directed at women in employment from the 19th century Factory Acts to more recent Equal opportunities legislation. It goes on to celebrate the successes of women in various fields of work today.;It is often mistakingly believed that women's involvement in work came about mainly as a result of the Industrial Revolution - when women could actually be seen to go out to work. However, women had been working at home in cottage-industries or running farms and dairies for centuries. This book examines the effects of the Industrial Revolution on working-class women, and also looks at the position of single middle-class women, who if they had to support themselves, had very few options other than becoming a governess or companion. The book highlights the effects of protective legislation, which sought to limit the type of work done by women in their struggle to open up the professions, such as medicine, nursing and the law. The book includes a history project.
