Exploring Gender Roles

During The 40s and 50s
	American Women’s History: Research Guide – World War II This is an excellent site that delves into the role women played during World War II. While Kiss Me, Kate takes place after the war, the back history of the women in the play will be tied into their experiences during the war.
	Life After Rosie The Riveter Read about how women felt about going back home to diapers and dishes after having a taste for working in jobs outside of the home.
	How To Be A Good House Wife This page includes an excerpt from a Home Economics textbook published in the early 1950s. Can you imagine these ideas being taught today?

During Shakespeare’s Time (These links are courtesy of the University of Victoria’s Shakespeare web page. You are encouraged to explore this site to find out more about the social understandings and atmosphere that surrounded The Taming Of The Shrew.)
	Social Order
	Courtship
	The Wife’s Status
	Has Kate been tamed?
	The Virgin Queen Remember, during Shakespeare’s time, the head of England was a woman – Queen Elizabeth. How do you think The Taming Of The Shrew comments upon this fact?