WW2 is a poor example to use for a number of reasons. One of the key ones is that most women were line workers and had minimal impact on how the firm was run. The issue Helen Andrews raises is when women are in positions of power and in critical departments like HR where they can change the norms of behavior.
Please read the second part for long run effect. Norm change via HR is a valid worry but is that a threat to civilization? I would focus more on this aggregate mechanism point: A thesis that treats rising female participation as inherently corrosive has to argue that the performance gains from tighter “masculine” norms exceed the output lost to misallocation.
Riley quotes Congressman Rolla McMillen (R-IL), speaking in May 1945 (after VE Day):
"I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, with this great grant allocated to child care, instead of discouraging it, it will encourage these women to remain in these plants, knowing that their children will be looked after. The policy should be, it seems to me, that they should be discouraged and driven, if necessary, back to their homes, where they belong, to look after these children."
In WWII were women admitted to management or supervisory positions?
Please read the second section for long run effect.
WW2 is a poor example to use for a number of reasons. One of the key ones is that most women were line workers and had minimal impact on how the firm was run. The issue Helen Andrews raises is when women are in positions of power and in critical departments like HR where they can change the norms of behavior.
Please read the second part for long run effect. Norm change via HR is a valid worry but is that a threat to civilization? I would focus more on this aggregate mechanism point: A thesis that treats rising female participation as inherently corrosive has to argue that the performance gains from tighter “masculine” norms exceed the output lost to misallocation.
Re reducing barriers: see Susan E. Riley, "Caring for Rosie's Children: Federal Child Care Policies in the World War II Era https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.2307/3235099
Riley quotes Congressman Rolla McMillen (R-IL), speaking in May 1945 (after VE Day):
"I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, with this great grant allocated to child care, instead of discouraging it, it will encourage these women to remain in these plants, knowing that their children will be looked after. The policy should be, it seems to me, that they should be discouraged and driven, if necessary, back to their homes, where they belong, to look after these children."