Cultural Norms: Germany and the US
Exhibit Description
Cultural attitudes and norms regarding gender roles and expectations
have an enormous effect on women in different countries, such as
Germany and the US. Their cultural norms surrounding these
expectations differ considerably and have had an great influence on
each country's women's rights movements.
German women have historically had
greater access to education
and employment opportunities earlier than women in the United States.
Beginning in the early 20th century, Germany established a system of
vocational education designed specifically to train women for jobs traditionally filled by men such as engineering and science.
Furthermore, after World War II Germany's government provided support
for women's education as part of efforts to rebuild the nation;
leading to
greater participation of women in workforce
as well as women's rights activism during this period - leading up to
women's rights activism being established throughout the 70s and 80s
eras.
German women did experience considerable advances, yet still faced
great pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. German society
placed great emphasis on family values, with women often expected to
prioritize family roles over careers - the
traditional view being that women provided primary caregivers while
men served as breadwinners; though women's movements challenged these views and advocated for
greater gender equality - traditional gender roles remained deeply
embedded within German society despite efforts made by various
feminist movements and the women's movement to advance equality
between genders.
Women faced many barriers to education and employment opportunities
prior to the 1960s in the US. As a response, the
American women's rights movement
developed in response to these inequalities and advocated for greater
access to education, employment opportunities, political power,
reproductive rights and an end of gender discrimination at work.
Feminism in particular challenged traditional gender roles while
advocating for greater gender equality -
equal pay for equal work
as well as reproductive rights were important goals of this movement
in particular.
While cultural attitudes and expectations regarding gender roles and
expectations were very different in Germany and the United States,
both countries experienced substantial changes as a result of the
women's rights movement. These changes included greater access to
education and employment opportunities for women as well as
challenging traditional gender expectations; yet traditional roles
still persist and efforts for gender equality continue in both
nations.
