Origins of Feminist Movement

Republican Motherhood Modern interpretation of the idealized role of women in 1760-1800 Benefits elite rather than all women

The Status of Women Education was “frivolous” Legal Status Coverture Dependent and unequal Political and legal non-existence Education was “frivolous” Women not treated as if they possessed logic or reason Could injure the brain, harm health, and make you unfit for marriage Emerging belief in separate, very distinct, characteristics between men and women

The Cult of Domesticity (Cult of True Womanhood) Private Sphere Women had “power” and “influence” Public Sphere Business, industry, politics, and law

Separate Spheres Industrialization and urbanization The home is no longer the focus of work Unique to the middle class

Gender inequality Creation of modern gender roles Certain behavior expectations for each gender Woman: religiously pious, morally pure, physically delicate, highly emotional and intuitive, submissive to her husband, and above all else devoted to the domestic pursuits of housekeeping and child-rearing Man: strong, coarse, unemotional, intellectual, rational, and skilled and enterprising enough to make a living for himself and his family Creation of modern gender roles

More effects Fewer births = focus on “childhood” Benevolent societies Women’s rights movement