Sexism in Propaganda and Venereal Disease Treatment-- World War II

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Howard L. Sarty, "A snapshot of Howard's letter to Yvette, November 28, 1944", Concordia Memory Porject, accessed December 15, 2015 http://concordiamemoryproject.concordiacollegearchives.org. 

    The correspondence of Howard and Yvette Sarty give us a glimpse into gender roles that were typical during World War II. Gender roles developed throughout the war and this can be seen through their relationship and read in their correspondences. Although not specifically mentioned by Howard in his letters to Yvette, propaganda distributed during the war gives us insight into gender roles as well. This propaganda greatly influenced the view of women during the war. Another contributor to the portrayal of women's roles was the social hygiene movement. The social hygiene movement was depicted through propaganda and had a large influence on how women were viewed. Propaganda and the social hygiene movement during World War II portray the negative attitudes towards women, especially concerning "venereal disease".  

     This study examines women's roles in World War II as viewed through World War II propaganda and the social hygiene movement. The research looks at gender roles through the context of World War II as analyzed by secondary sources. These secondary sources look at how propaganda interacts with the social hygiene movement to portray the gender roles held during the time period. By looking at already existing secondary sources it was possible to get the perspective of others who have analyzed the relationship as well. 

What is the Social Hygiene Movement?     

     Venereal disease was a problem among the troops during WWI, and it was predicted to be a problem during WWII as well.(1) In response to widespread concern the social hygiene movement, although it had existed long before WWII, rose in popularity. The social hygiene movement was a movement to reinstate family values; discourage sexual promiscuity, and prevent the spread of venereally transmitted diseases. 

      During World War II being a suspected prostitute or being suspected of having venereal disease was probable cause for being arrested. Venereal treatment centers were places where those arrested and found to have venereal transmitted diseases were taken to be treated. They were considered treatment centers, not prisons, but often stay was not voluntary. They were established in war areas, or anywhere where troops were being housed.(2) The majority of those arrested and detained in them were women suspected of being prostitutes or having loose morals.(3) The arresting and quarantining of someone with venereal disease was allowed by the laws of every state.(4) Although both men and women could be arrested and quarantined the majority kept in these treatment centers were women.(5) This demonstrates that the blame that was mainly put on women for the spread of venereal treatment centers. However, these rapid treatment centers were not the only method put in place to prevent the spread of venereal disease.

Sexism in Propaganda and Venereal Disease Treatment-- World War II