Final answer:
The integration of women in the U.S. military during World War II challenged and eventually transformed societal gender roles, leading to permanent inclusion through the Women's Armed Service's Integration Act of 1948. Public opinion shifted as female service was essential to the war effort, countering initial skepticism and stereotypes of women's roles in the military.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout the history of U.S. military service, the acceptance and integration of women have been marked by changes in societal attitudes towards gender roles and military needs. Initially, women's military service during World War II was seen as a temporary requirement, with roles typically viewed as subordinate or auxiliary. The perception that women should not compete with men but rather assist them has been advocated by figures such as Ohio Congresswoman Frances Bolton, as a patriotic duty. The Women's Armed Service's Integration Act of 1948 was a pivotal moment, acknowledging women's instrumental roles and allowing service in all military branches during both peacetime and war, yet stereotypes and reservations about female military service persisted.
Eleanor Roosevelt and other advocates addressed traditional gender assumptions, arguing that female enlistment was not just supportive but essential, with challenges of patriotism facing those who opposed. The resistance to women's full military inclusion reflected broader societal fears of altering traditional gender roles, especially notions of masculinity and men as protectors. Nevertheless, military service by women has been crucial, especially in times of labor shortages, and has had a profound impact on the recognition of women’s rights and the advancement of gender equality in the military as well as broader society.