Women's lives on the home front in the United States changed dramatically during World War II. Women became employed in great numbers in the workforce at home in support of the war effort. Their work in factories was essential to providing munitions and supplies for the men who had gone off to fight the war. There were prominent campaigns promoting women in the workforce, and even a 1942 big band song about "Rosie the Riveter." The number of American working women increased to nearly 20 million during the war -- an increase of more than 6 million women added to the workforce.
Many women thought this was the beginning of an ongoing opportunity to become more involved in life outside the home. However, when the war ended and men were returning home, American society in general expected women to go back to their "proper place" in the home. According to <em>American Experience </em>(PBS), "Women's employment was only encouraged as long as the war was on. Once the war was over, federal and civilian policies replaced women workers with men."
<em>[I've answered your question in reference to World War II, which I presume was the context of your question.]</em>
