Here's a breakdown:
Women:
* Domestic Sphere: The primary expectation for women was to be wives and mothers, dedicated to running the household, raising children, and attending to the needs of their husbands. This included cooking, cleaning, sewing, and maintaining a home environment conducive to family life.
* Limited Work Opportunities: While women were increasingly participating in the workforce, their options remained largely limited to "feminine" professions like nursing, teaching, secretarial work, and domestic service.
* Financial Dependence: Women were generally financially dependent on their husbands or fathers, with few opportunities to attain financial independence.
* Emphasis on Beauty and Domesticity: The media and societal expectations emphasized female beauty, grace, and domestic skills. Women were encouraged to be charming, submissive, and primarily focused on their family's well-being.
Men:
* Breadwinners and Providers: Men were expected to be the primary breadwinners, responsible for earning the family income and providing financial security.
* Authority Figures: Men held positions of authority in society, from family heads to leaders in business and politics.
* Physical Strength and Masculinity: Physical strength, assertiveness, and ambition were valued masculine traits.
* Limited Involvement in Domestic Tasks: Men were generally not expected to participate in household chores or childcare.
Important Considerations:
* Economic Conditions: The Great Depression had a significant impact on gender roles, with more women entering the workforce out of necessity. However, these changes were often temporary, as men reclaimed their positions once the economy began to recover.
* Social Class: Gender roles varied depending on social class. Middle-class women had more leisure time and resources, while working-class women had fewer opportunities and were often expected to work alongside their husbands.
* Regional Differences: Gender roles differed across regions, with some areas having more progressive attitudes than others.
Conclusion:
While the 1930s brought some changes, the dominant gender roles in 1939 were deeply rooted in traditional expectations. Women were primarily confined to the domestic sphere, while men were expected to be the providers and authority figures.
It's important to note that this is a general overview, and there were always individuals who challenged these norms. However, these traditional gender roles were widespread and heavily influential on society in 1939.