Women in 18th Century
-Women were raised to be a good housewife and to be a respected member of society.
-When women were single, and therefore were not yet responsible for running a household or raising children, women had more freedom during these years than they would ever have again. Courting gave women power; it was their decision whether to accept or reject a suitor.
-For the most part, women married quickly in fear that waiting too long might eliminate the availability or choice of husbands. The choice of a husband was very important since, once made, only death could undo a marriage. Marriage for women was a complete life change. It meant leaving childhood behind, taking on adult responsibilities, and forming a new family.
-Legally, marriage meant subordination for women, however, once a woman was married, she had very few legal rights. They could not vote, hold public office, or participate in legal matters on their own behalf.
-Women were expected to defer to their husbands and be obedient to them without question.
-Marriage was often isolating.
-Domestic sphere:
-Devoting themselves entirely to domesticity
-Instill values into their home
-True fulfillment would be gained only through their contributions domestically
-Women maintain their relationship with each other through extended visits and correspondence through letters, etc. (Blake)
-Women expressed their affection for one another, not necessarily for men.
-Women view each other as kindred souls, not as competition.
-Dependent, affectionate, benevolent, self-sacrificing, pious.
-Pure and lacked sexual desire.
-This cult of domesticity opens up a cultural divide between men and women in the 19th century
-Most education even still was reserved for male, not female.
-Women overly educated were seen as more masculine mentally…too much education would make them unsuitable for marriage.
-Women were wanting to emerge from traditional roles, but society wanted to glamorize being domestic so that
-When women were single, and therefore were not yet responsible for running a household or raising children, women had more freedom during these years than they would ever have again. Courting gave women power; it was their decision whether to accept or reject a suitor.
-For the most part, women married quickly in fear that waiting too long might eliminate the availability or choice of husbands. The choice of a husband was very important since, once made, only death could undo a marriage. Marriage for women was a complete life change. It meant leaving childhood behind, taking on adult responsibilities, and forming a new family.
-Legally, marriage meant subordination for women, however, once a woman was married, she had very few legal rights. They could not vote, hold public office, or participate in legal matters on their own behalf.
-Women were expected to defer to their husbands and be obedient to them without question.
-Marriage was often isolating.
-Domestic sphere:
-Devoting themselves entirely to domesticity
-Instill values into their home
-True fulfillment would be gained only through their contributions domestically
-Women maintain their relationship with each other through extended visits and correspondence through letters, etc. (Blake)
-Women expressed their affection for one another, not necessarily for men.
-Women view each other as kindred souls, not as competition.
-Dependent, affectionate, benevolent, self-sacrificing, pious.
-Pure and lacked sexual desire.
-This cult of domesticity opens up a cultural divide between men and women in the 19th century
-Most education even still was reserved for male, not female.
-Women overly educated were seen as more masculine mentally…too much education would make them unsuitable for marriage.
-Women were wanting to emerge from traditional roles, but society wanted to glamorize being domestic so that