Women in the 19th/20th Century
In the house, many activities are performed; mopping, sweeping, comforting the children, making food, teaching the kids, numerous activities performed in the household. This was the job of women as society perceived and expected it to be in the United States. Thus carried on the many stereotypes that were bestowed upon women at the time of the 19th and 20th century. Men and women were divided into separate realms; men were viewed as more intelligent, better prepared to be successful, as opposed to women being viewed as possessing the innate qualities of compassion, caretaking, piety and such. Men were considered a part of the public sphere, which left the women being in the private sphere. However, the notion of any realms or spheres would soon eradicate with the peak of industrialization and urbanization and women were able to find work, be independent, voice their opinions, and become more than just housewives.
Before women were eventually able to become a substantial contributor to industrialization, the “cult of domesticity” existed. In the early part of the century and even moving forward near the end of the century, the cult of domesticity became an ideology of society at the time that women were to stay put in the house to raise and nurture the children as the fathers went out and worked. It was the word of God, after all. However, women did not think this “cult” was the correct viewpoint for them. There were even prescriptive literatures, which were mainly instructive writings mostly written by Catharine Beecher, and they explained to women how they should act, dress, raise their children, all that jazz. They wanted to have their own rights and not be subjected to the house every single day; they didn’t see any growth in themselves if this trend continued. Women wanted to work and contribute to the growing United States.
With the rise of industrialization and urbanization, many job opportunities arose not just for...