Final answer:
The four major changes resulting from women working outside the home included expanded employment opportunities, a shift in social perception towards female workers, economic impacts like dual-income households and wage disparities, and a change in traditional family dynamics and responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
As women began to work outside the home in greater numbers, several significant changes occurred in society. Among these changes were:
- Expansion of employment opportunities: Though initially limited to roles such as teaching, nursing, and clerical work, the fact that women were working opened up new career paths and contributed to the increase in women attending four-year colleges.
- Social Perception: The once dominant idea that women should not work outside the home started to shift. This social acceptance laid the groundwork for subsequent movements fighting for equal rights and labor recognition.
- Economic Impact: The dual-income household became more common, altering the financial dynamics within families and providing more economic independence for women, even though wage disparities persisted, with women earning less than men for comparable work.
- Changes in Family Dynamics: As more married women joined the workforce, the traditional domestic roles were questioned, leading to discussions and movements around shared household and parenting responsibilities.
While the ingress of women into the workforce brought about advancements and increased opportunities, it also highlighted the need for societal adjustments regarding gender equality, financial equity, and family support systems.