* Marriage and Motherhood: This was the primary expectation for most women. After finishing high school or perhaps a short stint at a women's college (often focused on home economics or teaching), getting married and starting a family was the dominant life trajectory. Their education often served to prepare them for this role, equipping them with skills in homemaking, childcare, and social graces.
* Limited Career Options: While some women worked, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who needed to contribute financially, career options were severely limited. Secretarial work, teaching (primarily elementary school), nursing, and some clerical positions were common choices. Opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields were largely unavailable, and women were often paid less than their male counterparts for the same work.
* Homemaking: A significant portion of a woman's life, regardless of whether she worked outside the home, was dedicated to managing the household. This included cooking, cleaning, sewing, and caring for children.
* Higher Education (a minority): While a smaller percentage than today, some women did pursue higher education, often in fields considered "appropriate" for women, such as nursing, teaching, or home economics. Many of these women who did pursue degrees went on to work in those fields or married and then pursued those fields (after their children were older).
It's important to note that this was a generalization. Individual experiences varied based on socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and personal ambition. Some women defied societal expectations and pursued careers outside of the traditional roles, though they often faced significant obstacles in doing so.