Final answer:
Women faced challenges in societal beliefs, discrimination, limited job options, and conflicting expectations of their roles as homemakers and workers. Despite these obstacles, women fought for their rights and became leaders in social, economic, and political reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the greatest challenges women faced in taking on their new roles was the societal belief that female employment outside the home was unnatural or undesirable. This notion limited women's freedoms and ignored the reality of life for many women, especially those who were single or had children out of wedlock. Women also had to overcome deep-seated discrimination, as many men held exclusive power that prevented women from voting, holding public office, and wielding influence in various arenas. Despite these challenges, women fought for their rights, challenging family law inequities, breaking down barriers in higher education, and becoming active leaders in social, economic, and political reforms.
Women's roles in the workforce were often confined to traditionally female-dominated jobs such as sales help, filing clerks, and factory workers. However, even within these roles, women faced discrimination, being paid lower wages than their male counterparts. Additionally, the demands of war placed burdens on women, as they had to handle the responsibilities at home when their husbands and fathers went off to fight. While society emphasized the importance of women as homemakers, many women refused to give up their jobs and embraced the newfound freedom and opportunities.
Furthermore, in Soviet society, women were expected to play new roles in the economy and society, taking on industrial or agricultural jobs. However, they faced discrimination and emotional turmoil as they were rarely given positions of power and were expected to produce as much as men while also fulfilling traditional homemaker and mother roles. Despite the changes and increased opportunities for women, society still sought to confine them to stereotypical gender roles.
Overall, women faced challenges in terms of societal beliefs, discrimination, limited job options, and conflicting expectations of their roles as homemaker and worker. However, they persevered and fought for their rights, leading the way in social, economic, and political reforms.