ABSTRACT
In our introduction we asked whether the experience of participation in industry and the armed services in the two world wars led to lasting changes for women. Our review of women's experiences from before 1914 to after 1945 does not suggest that the wars led to steady advances towards the ‘emancipation’ of women, nor that there were spectacular gains followed by crashing losses. Although there were many changes, there was an undertow pulling women back during both world wars, by emphasising that change was temporary, that women were ‘really’ wives and mothers and their place was at home, and that they were doing skilled, important jobs and earning relatively high wages on sufferance:
