'Blood, sweat and tears to get a living' : relations between working-class men and women in Wollongong, 1921-1954

Abstract

This thesis examines relations between working class men and women in Wollongong, from 1921 to 1954. It assesses how gender and class have shaped the lives of these people in the areas of paid work, family and community. The thesis is presented in three parts, the first includes two chapters: (i) discusses relevant historiography, theory and methodology, and (ii) provides the reader with contextual information on Wollongong as a place. Part two of the thesis includes four chapters which concentrate largely on paid work and related aspects. The final section of the thesis includes three chapters which focus on: (i) family, (ii) leisure and social pursuits and (iii) community aspects of working class activity. An exploration of paid work, family and community illuminates the different experiences of working-class men and women in Wollongong for this