Final answer:
Women made significant contributions to the war effort and faced limited opportunities and lower wages. The war created a demand for child care services and had long-term effects on gender roles and population growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the war, women made significant contributions to the war effort in their countries. They took on jobs previously held by men who were serving in the military, such as working in factories, offices, and hospitals. These opportunities, however, were still limited and women often faced lower wages compared to men.
The war also had both short-term and long-term effects on women's lives. In the short term, the war created a sudden demand for child care services, as many working mothers could no longer provide care for their children. This raised issues of child welfare and public education as national concerns.
In the long term, although millions of women voluntarily left their jobs or were laid off after the war, the postwar period saw an increase in consumer spending and economic security, which led to a baby boom and an increase in the number of children born. The war also had an impact on gender roles, as it celebrated motherhood and led to a return to prewar notions about gender and the workplace.