by Naomi Garton

Created on: September 15, 2008

Hitler had a desire for a "volksgemeinshaft" (A people's community/unity) and within this women had a specific role.

Externally, women had to look naturally beautiful and wear no makeup. They also had to be Aryan German, preferably having blonde hair and blue eyes.They were advised not to colour or cut their hair and wear it in natural styles. It was considered better if they had broad child-bearing hips. Active participation in sports was encouraged to increase fitness and smoking was heavily discouraged. Women were also expected to wear full skirts and flat shoes and wear little or no jewellery. Clothes were to be made to home produced substitutes.

Internally, women had to be healthy, carers and nurturers and responsible for emotional well-being. They were also expected to be comrades and helpers and were considered to be a womanly complement of man. They had to be pure in mind, spirit and body and be devoted to the Nazis. They also had to be virgins until marriage.

Women's role in society was to marry a man she loved but who was also Aryan German and healthy so that pure offspring could ideally be produced. Producing as many children as possible was a woman's main aim in life. She should produce them to be genetically healthy, and educate them to become pure Nazis. Her role was considered to be in the home; she was a housewife and homemaker and was expected to give up her job. (c.f "Kinder, Kirche, Kche"). Bigamous marriages were smiled upon but never made legal.

What incentives did the Nazis give women to be Housewives and Mothers?

Persuasive

Maternity benefits were improved and income tax allowances for children were doubled in October 1914 at the expense of single people and childless couples.
Concessions on expenses such as school fees and railway fares were introduced for large families.
Family allowances were also introduced. In 1935 large families were given grants of up to 100RM (Reichsmark) per child. In April 1938 an allowance of 10RM per month was introduced for the third and fourth child and 20RM for all subsequent children for families on four incomes.
The Marriage loans scheme was part of the June 1933 Law for the Reduction of Unemployment. This law granted marriage loans to all women prepared to give up their jobs once married. They would be granted a loan of up to 1000 RM. The amount was paid only after the marriage. The wife or future wife had to give up her job before or at the time of the wedding and had to pledge not to take up employment. This

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