Times Were Hard: The Pattern of Women's Paid Labour in St. John's Between the Two World Wars

Examines the pattern of women's paid labour in St. John's, Newfoundland, in the 1920s and 30s. Emphasizes the effect of life cycle changes on women's participation in the city's workforce. Argues that a woman's age, marital status, and class were the most important factors in determining whether the woman worked outside of the home or engaged in paid labour in the household. Considers other, related factors—including number of children, stage of the family cycle, as well as age and religion—in terms of their impact on women's labour force participation and the type of work performed. Concludes that women worked of necessity to support the home, that the vast majority were single, under 25, and living with their parents, that working-class women were far more likely to work than middle-class women, and that class also influenced the type of employment secured. Includes eight tables of census data.