1.+Economic+Gains+of+Labor

Economic Gain of Labor  Today is my first day at my new job. I have a husband named Alex, who is still at war and will be coming home soon. As a working woman, the war years are very good for the people who are employed (Danzer 591) Since tons of job opportunities opened, I thought I would give the workforce a try. The nation’s population that engaged themselves in paid labor rose slightly, but steadily. Over 60 percent had some sort of job in the country (Price 1). My average weekly paycheck rose about 35 percent during the war. My friend Sarah says that’s a great increase instead of the previous numbers. Because of the increase in pay, I was able to save money for mine and my family’s future. I was thinking about investing my money in bonds, like other people have done, but for right now I want to keep my earned money safe (Danzer 591) My friend Jack is from the south and he owns his own farm. He also thrived during the war as well. He says they now have extremely good weather for growing crops unlike the earlier years when they encountered plenty of dust storms and horrific floods. Crop production increased more than 50 percent and his farm income tripled. I feel relieved he’s not suffering through rough times anymore and with the new burst of crops, Jack can now pay off his mortgage and support his family without struggling. My job in a defense plant is tough but it offers women like me more challenging work and better pay. The nation developed great industrial strength and power through the years (Jefferies 1) I would rather work here, at the defense plant then be a waitress, clerk, or domestic service person. In my opinion, those jobs are boring compared to a riveter or working in a defense plant. Women like me now have the opportunity to show what we can do since so many men are at war (Danzer 591).

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Danzer, Gerald A., et al. The Americans. IL: McDougal Littell, 2005. 590-591

Price, Dave. "Labor, post World War II.". Nash, eds. __ Encyclopedia of American __  __History __//: //Postwar United States, //1946 to 1968// , vol. 9. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. __ American History Online .__ Facts On File. Hunterdon Central Regional High School. 18 March 2009. Jeffries, John W. "economy, 1929–1945." Nash, eds. __ Encyclopedia of American __  __History: __The Great Depression and World War II, 1929 to 1945 , vol. 8. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2003. __ American History Online .__ Facts On File, Hunterdon Central Regional High School. 18 March 2009

Staci Fasano