ABSTRACT
During the war, women were expected to shoulder heavier responsibilities while continuing to honor conservative social values. A woman was a chaste wife, nurturing mother, diligent homemaker, and guardian of the family's spiritual well-being. Whenever her husband's work required assistance, she was a loyal helpmate in the fields or in the shop. She prided herself on always maintaining her gracious demeanor, whether at home or in public. She accepted these roles uncomplainingly; she was industrious and frugal as a homemaker, and selfless as a wife and mother. Housekeeping in the 1930s was little changed from premodern times, since there were very few appliances or conveniences in the majority of homes. Outside of the cities, few homes were electrified, and throughout the land most housework was done by hand.
