Week 4 - The Women's Rights Movement Flashcards
What was the historical (19th century) role of women in U.S. society?
Women were primarily confined to domestic duties and child-rearing.
What were women not allowed to do in the 19th century U.S.?
Women were not allowed to vote, own property independently, or receive the same level of education as men.
Give examples of restrictions on women in the 19th century U.S.
Legal dependence on husbands, exclusion from higher education and many professions, and limited legal rights in marriage and divorce.
What is the meaning of the term “cult of true womanhood”?
A 19th-century ideology that idealized women as pious, pure, submissive, and domestic.
How did the “cult of true womanhood” shape the status of women in the 19th century?
It reinforced women’s roles within the home, restricted women’s participation in public and political life, and promoted the notion that women’s highest aspiration should be to serve their families.
Give examples of the impact of the “cult of true womanhood.”
Literature and media glorifying domestic roles, social pressures and norms enforcing modesty and obedience, and educational curricula focused on homemaking skills.
How do historical expectations of a woman’s role compare with 21st-century expectations?
In the 19th century, women were expected to focus solely on home and family, had limited opportunities for education and careers, and legal and social systems heavily favored men. In the 21st century, women are increasingly seen in leadership roles across various fields, have greater educational and career opportunities, and there are legal advancements promoting gender equality.
Give examples of the shift in expectations of women’s roles from the 19th century to the 21st century.
Increase in women holding political offices and key government positions, greater societal acceptance of women balancing career and family, and legal protections against gender discrimination in the workplace.
