Are Women Treated Equally in Britain today?

Would Sylvia Pankhurst have been disappointed by the position of women in Britain today? She hoped that women gaining the vote would be the first step towards big improvements in the position and status of women. Has the vote brought equality? Are women treated equally in Britain today?

In 1928 all women over 21 were given the vote. This gave them the same rights as men. Today over 50% of voters are women. What percentage of women are MPs today?



In 1979, Britain elected its first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. She claimed that, 'The battle for women's rights has largely been won'. Do you agree?

After both the First and Second World Wars, most women who had worked in men's jobs went back to their old jobs. By the 1960s women were becoming increasingly frustrated that top jobs were not open to them. The 'women's liberation movement' campaigned for change and helped persuade the government to pass laws making it illegal to pay women less than men for the same job (1970) and outlawing discrimination in jobs, housing and other areas (1975). Are there many women in top jobs today? Do women get paid the same?

http://www.ukpolitical.info/FemaleMPs.htm

Democracy & Dictatorship - Reflect on Your Learning.

Now that you have completed your investigation into a democracy and a dictatorship in the past, watch this clip. See the controversial opinion of Professor David King on the relationship between democracy, dictatorship and change. The debate in this clip is concerned with climate change, whereas our study has focused on freedom, equality and people’s everyday opportunities. What does Professor King say about the advantages of dictatorship and the main problem with democracy? CAN YOU THINK OF EXAMPLES FROM YOUR STUDY OF USA 1945-68 AND CHINA 1945-76 to agree with Professor King’s comments? Or do our history case studies suggest that democracy brings about change in a far more effective manner?

AS History- Reflect on Your Learning

As the presidency of the first black President of the United States to take office starts its third year has public attention turned away from race to politics? We have just completed our investigation into the phenomenon of the American Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. Think for a moment and share your thoughts. What connections have you made from this study? What has it made you think about history, politics or people?

The Changing Role of Women

This month marks the 90th anniversary of the first election in which women over 30 could vote. Year 12 historians have been learning about the changing role of women in the 20th century, and the campaigns for the vote. This Woman’s Hour podcast looks at how women responded to the opportunity to vote. Think about the changes which were brought about by this legislation. Did it bring about the revolution some people hoped, and feared it would? As you have been studying the course, have you noticed how much, or how little has changed since the early 20th century? Post your comments.

Suffragette Militancy

Why hadn’t women been given the vote by 1913? Was it because of increasing levels of suffragette militancy, such as Emily Wilding Davison’s actions at the 1913 Derby? Year 12 have been considering this traditional explanation, alongside alternative arguments. Did politicians use militancy as a convenient excuse for denying women the vote? Does personal opposition or party loyalty explain the real block at this stage? View the clip again, use your class notes and post your comments to argue your case!

Votes for Women

Year 12 History students are weighing up the contributions made by the NUWSS and WSPU to the cause of women’s suffrage. This article on Millicent Fawcett should give an interesting insight into her role in the campaigns. Do you think that peaceful campaigning such as that supported by Fawcett has been overlooked by historians, in comparison to the more flamboyant approach of the WSPU?