Collective for women, it afford the ability for women to join the work force. Prior to WWII, women stayed home and took care of domestic affairs, or worked as nurses, secretaries, or teachers. The women at the time during the war had to replace male workers who fought. When the men returned home women commonly went back to their traditional roles, while some remained at their jobs. Although, it still wasn't acceptable for women to work jobs typically done by men, the war allowed women to prove that they can.
Another thing WWII changed for women, collectively, is the habit of smoking. Before the war women who smoke tend to be wealthy, high society, celebrities, actresses portraying characters in movies and such. This is only a small percentage compared to the total population of women. During the war women became exposed to the high stress work environment and began picking up the break habits men displayed in the industrial and corporate fields. Also in the social scene women would frequent bars and clubs and socialize with what men were left. At times women would take drags off the cigarettes of the men they were in company with. Smoking became fashionable to young women and the habit remains. A side note there is a study which concluded that women who smoke are more likely to be sexually active.
