Podcast
Questions and Answers
What significant shift occurred in the hiring of African-American women for clerical work in the 1960s?
What significant shift occurred in the hiring of African-American women for clerical work in the 1960s?
Significant numbers of African-American women were hired into clerical work in the 1960s.
How did the arrival of older, married women in offices change the meaning of clerical work for women?
How did the arrival of older, married women in offices change the meaning of clerical work for women?
Clerical work was no longer seen as just an interlude before marriage, but as a potential long-term career that women could return to after having children.
What were some of the advantages that employers saw in hiring older women clerical workers compared to younger women?
What were some of the advantages that employers saw in hiring older women clerical workers compared to younger women?
Employers felt that older women had superior skills in shorthand, spelling, grammar, and typing, were more dependable and had a stronger work ethic, had less turnover and absenteeism, and were less self-absorbed than younger, single women.
How did the changing social and cultural practices of young, educated women contribute to their dissatisfaction with clerical work?
How did the changing social and cultural practices of young, educated women contribute to their dissatisfaction with clerical work?
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What was the significance of employers offering part-time or 'mothers' hours' for clerical work?
What was the significance of employers offering part-time or 'mothers' hours' for clerical work?
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How did the experiences of employing older women clerical workers differ from employers' expectations, according to the passage?
How did the experiences of employing older women clerical workers differ from employers' expectations, according to the passage?
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What role did the dwindling supply of younger women play in the re-alignment of attitudes about the suitability of older women for clerical work?
What role did the dwindling supply of younger women play in the re-alignment of attitudes about the suitability of older women for clerical work?
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According to the passage, how did the upbringing of older women contribute to employers' perceptions of them as clerical workers?
According to the passage, how did the upbringing of older women contribute to employers' perceptions of them as clerical workers?
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What role did the changing personal ambitions of younger, educated women play in their dissatisfaction with clerical work?
What role did the changing personal ambitions of younger, educated women play in their dissatisfaction with clerical work?
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How did the experiences of Betty Darlington illustrate the lack of diversity and promotion opportunities for women in clerical work during the 1940s and 1950s?
How did the experiences of Betty Darlington illustrate the lack of diversity and promotion opportunities for women in clerical work during the 1940s and 1950s?
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