Nazi ideology was mainly reactionary; they wanted to reverse some of the reforms that were made during the Weimar Republic, especially in regards to the elevated status of women in society. (Hite,294) The Nazis believed women should only stay at home as producers of Aryan babies and supporters of the family. They also encouraged women to support traditional society, to wear full skirts, flat shoes and home-produced clothes. (Hite, 295)
Later, during war time, economic and military needs conflicted with conservative ideology. This made Nazi ideology toward women harder to enforce. Notably, in 1936 “the economy was suffering from a labour shortage in key areas, and by 1939 this had become acute.”(Hite,301) In addition, due to the increased number of war casualties, more men were needed on the front line. As a result, more women started to go back to work, and it led to an increased number of female employees in all different areas and a decrease in childbirth. (Hite,301)
In agriculture and forestry, the number of women employed increased 0.3 million from 1933 to1939. In industry and crafts, statistics show an increase in female employment of 0.6 million in six years from 1933 to 1939. (Source 15.29,A) However, the average number of children declined. In 1933, there was an average of 3.6 children, but in 1939, there was only an average of 3.3. (Source 15.28,C) These statistics suggest that economic and military necessities were posing a threat to Nazi ideology, because women were slowly gaining rights and taking more opportunities. I believe if this situation continued, women’s roles would have change completely. As a result, their social status would be raised similar to the period during the Weimar Republic.
In conclusion, conservative Nazi ideology propagandized traditional lifestyles to women. However, the another areas of policy that linked with economic and military necessity contradicted with it. Economic and military needs created opportunities for German women during this time and allowed them to take on greater roles and social responsibilities. As a publication from National Socialist Women’s organization had stated during the war, “it has always been our article of faith that a woman’s place is in the home, but since the whole of Germany is our home we must serve wherever we can best do so.” (Source 15.15) Women’s role on being homemakers and producers of children which Nazi ideology encouraged became lower priorities mainly due to economic and military necessities.
