Women's History

¶ … public roles of women in the 18th century vs. The 19th and 20th centuries The implications of gender difference placed special emphasis on a woman's place and the distinction economically and socially in women's lives. In the last few decades, the history of women has been recognized and has been defined integrated and accepted at the academic level. Accordingly, the fields of study are now identified as "gender history," feminist history and women's history.

Basically, historians have accepted the fact that more than just great men were responsible for the past. To come to terms with what led to that eventual realization let's begin by examining a time when the treatment of women was dictated by their gender. Let's consider the treatment of women during 18th century Europe. A woman's position within her family, and within society was based specifically on her special reproductive functions.

This type of thinking was further perpetuated in a society were patriarchy was the norm and thus encouraged different roles for men and women. Gender stereotyping, the channeling of boys and girls from an early age into jobs or professions suited to their sex, has played a significant role throughout the ages. During the 17th and 18th centuries, formal education was seen as necessary only for boys; girls received instruction only in what they needed to know to be homemakers.

But even after the wisdom of offering a wider variety of instruction became accepted in the 19th century, young ladies for the most part were educated to be teachers, nurses, secretaries, store clerks or telephone operators and homemakers. Even in the 21st century, over 75% of the women employed in the workforce (and that's 50% of the workforce) are employed in occupations that are still 80% female. Historically reality has taught us that gender differences accounted keeping women in their proper "place" in the 1700s both politically and economically.

Women's lives and roles during that period were defined by their gender and were limited mostly to "home and hearth." The lives of women differed so much from those of men during that time period that a separate description often defined their role within the family, their social expectations and what they were allowed to participate in.

Long before their were Women's Rights, rights that establish the same social, economic, and political status for women as for men, there was no guarantee for women that they would not face discrimination on the basis of their sex. It wasn't until the later part of the 20th century that women in most societies were not denied some of the legal and political rights accorded to men.

Until the 19th century, most women lacked the educational and economic resources that would enable them to challenge the prevailing social order, and they accepted their inferior status as their only option. They shared these disadvantages with the majority of lower class working men, as many social, economic, and political rights were restricted to the wealthy elite. In the late 18th century, philosophers asserted that all men were created equal and therefore were entitled to equal treatment under the law.

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America further divided the roles of men and women. Before the Industrial Revolution most people worked in farming or crafts, both of which took place in the home. Men and women usually divided the numerous tasks among themselves and their children. Industrialization led male workers to seek employment outside of the home in factories and other large-scale enterprises. The growing split between home and work reinforced the idea that a woman's place was in the home.

The gender difference was further displayed in what was called "conduct literature" which further described the differing roles of men and women in society. This manual served as a guideline for women regarding everything from how to dress and act to what to read. In contrast, "courtesy manuals" for men dating back to the Renaissance instructed men in obtaining social status through courtly habits and refined manners.

Conduct books for women concentrated on the virtues of modest restraint and domestic subordination, contributing to the differentiation of public and private spaces for men and women. These manuals perpetuated the thinking that there were two sets of rules for men and women regarding everything from morals and sexual conduct to fashion. Women of the 18th and 19th century were not free to dress as they pleased but rather were corseted and covered beyond our wildest imaginations.

Layer upon layer of material and hoops kept a woman "under cover," only to be seen by her husband. Obviously, the principles of Puritan piety and virtue held fast for women during this time period. The early 17th century was a time of transition when women were viewed through religious paradigms. That did not change until the 18th century, when femininity was at its height. But sadly, women were still considered to be of lesser value than men and were not considered significant during this period of "his"tory.

Rather they were adornments for men, both publicly and privately and an extension of a man's place in society. Sexuality was ignored unless it attested to a man's desires. Let's consider an example. Look at Mary Wollstonecraft who was born into 1759. Her father was a mean-spirited man who beat his wife. Mary was determined not to be one of the women of her class who were expected to be homebodies and obedient wives.

Because of her independent streak, she was forced to struggle as governess and teacher for years until she became a successful translator and author. Mary capitalized on her intellectual prowess and became a published author in 1792. She stated, "I wish to persuade women to endeavor to acquire strength, both of mind and body." Wollstonecraft believed women should attend school and not be relegated to the home. She also favored co-education, and believed that women could manage businesses and enter politics if men would only give them the chance.

Certainly the lives of rural, working- class, middle-class, and aristocratic women, were strikingly different throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. As the world changed economically, politically and societally, women struggled to come into their own. Fashion and education changed significantly over the centuries. Women no longer blindly accepted subordination. They began to realize that they had been denied a lot of their inalienable rights including mastery over their own.