the Industrial Revolution was a period of great change during which improvements in technology changed how people lived and worked

patriarchal relates to a society that is controlled by men

a person who believes in social, economic and political equality between men and women is a feminist

a way to prevent pregnancy is known as contraception

The changing role of women

History

In ‘Women’s suffrage: why did it take so long for women to get the vote in Britain?’, pupils studied the historical battle for women’s right to vote. This unit extends that understanding by examining how women’s roles and societal expectations have continued to change and develop in British society.

In this unit, pupils consolidate and extend their knowledge of history before 1066 by examining how women's roles in British society have changed from the medieval period to the present.

Thematic study: how has the role of women in British society changed?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Which keyword describes a period of great change between c. 1750 and 1900 during which improvements in technology changed how people lived and worked?

Which keyword describes something relating to a society that is controlled by men?

Complete the sentence: The availability of the contraceptive pill from {{}} had a significant impact on the role of women in society.

Female MPs were more likely to support laws that had positive impacts on women.

Female MPs were less likely to support laws that had positive impacts on women.

A few years before, women had had no representation in Parliament.

A few years before, women had had more representation in Parliament.

Even though there were only 15 female MPs by 1931, why was this still a positive for women's rights?

Lives centred on the home & dominated by cycle of marriage, birth & childcare.

Excluded from most professions and positions of power

Had easy access to the contraceptive pill

Which of the following show significant continuity in the role of women between the medieval and early modern period?

Acts were passed to improve equality in the workplace.

Lives remained dictated by a cycle of marriage, birth & childcare.

Which of the following show significant change in the role of women between the Industrial Revolution and the 20th century?

when someone is treated unfairly because of certain characteristics

a person who believes in equality between men and women

the state of being equal e.g., in rights, status, opportunities

a form of protest that involves refusing to work

Match the keyword with the correct definition.

Which of the following phrases best describes the state of the British economy in the 1950s?

In what year was the Equal Pay Act introduced?

What became available to British women in 1961 which allowed them more control over when or if they had children?

Approximately how many British women were taking the contraceptive pill by 1968?

What was the name of the law that legalised abortion in 1967?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

The changing role of women

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.