Meaning of sentence

I am unable to understand the meaning of sentence “even though rhetoric in the popular media called for the return of women to domestic life”.
complete sentence is
Consequently, the 1950s saw a growing number of womenengagged in farm labor, even though rhetoric in the popular media called for the return of women to domestic life.

Here’s what I think it means:
the media said that the women should stay at home

The complete sentence would mean:
The number of women working on farms increased in the 1950s, even though the media said they should stay at home.

ok
thanks