The Great Depression of the 1930s saw more American unmarried women working from nine to five, mostly in repetitive, boring, subordinate, dead-end jobs. But the number of working women doubled between 1870 and 1940. During World War II it doubled once again.

Helen Fisher’s quote highlights the significant shifts in the workforce, particularly regarding American unmarried women during the Great Depression and World War II. She notes that, while many women during the 1930s worked in repetitive, boring, and subordinate jobs, these positions were an important step in increasing their presence in the workforce. Despite the often dead-end nature of these jobs, the rise in female employment marked a significant change in societal norms, with more women taking on paid work outside the home, reflecting broader economic and social changes.

Fisher also points out that the number of working women in the U.S. doubled between 1870 and 1940, illustrating the gradual shift towards greater female participation in the workforce over time. The Great Depression played a crucial role in this change, as many women sought work out of financial necessity. However, their roles were still largely confined to lower-status jobs, and the labor market was highly gendered, with women often relegated to positions that were seen as temporary or less important than those held by men.

The quote also emphasizes that during World War II, the number of working women doubled again, as men went off to war and women were needed to fill jobs in factories, offices, and other industries. This was a critical moment in the history of women’s labor rights, as women took on roles that were traditionally reserved for men, proving their ability to handle skilled work and challenging preconceived notions about gender roles in the workforce.

The origin of the quote comes from Helen Fisher, an American anthropologist and researcher known for her studies on human behavior, relationships, and the sociology of work. Her observations about the changing roles of women in the workforce highlight key historical moments when social and economic conditions reshaped women’s participation in paid employment. Fisher’s work often explores how shifts in societal structures impact human behavior, and this quote is a reflection of her insight into the evolution of women’s roles in the labor force.