The correct option is: "were helped by new household technology."
In the 1950s, women had to fulfill a socially imposed role, that of ideal wife and mother.
The women had to be feminine at the same time as interesting, to comply without complaining about the housework while her husband brought the money home, and especially to have children ... many children. According to social tradition, a woman without children was not "complete". At that time, few women could continue their studies and most of those who did, gave up having a working life when they got married. The woman had to be a good wife, bring children into the world and obey the husband faithfully ... The access of women to the world of work was very limited. That is why in this period technology played a very important role in the daily domestic activities of women, since it helps in their daily activities.
