ABSTRACT
The elements which contribute to ‘being a woman’ are phenomena of an ideological superstructure built over centuries. To this entity has been attributed not only qualities and attitudes, but also feelings and perceptions, and even different forms of consciousness. The image projected on to young women who are not yet mothers is different: it includes sex appeal, though this is never portrayed directly as such but rather in images of beauty, grace, and charm; and has characteristics which show a good potential for motherhood, such as enthusiasm, sensitivity, understanding, delicacy, and modesty. The course of the war in the city was also marked by variations in behavioural guidelines addressed to young women. Until April 1936, the most urgent task was to defend Madrid. In wartime Madrid, housework was an economic activity fundamental to the survival of the population. It is apparent that the operation of the war industry and supplies to the front depended on the survival of the population.
