Separate Spheres: Gender Roles In The 19th Century

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Stereotypes to Break the Spheres:
The Separate Spheres Ideology
The term “separate spheres” has two parts, the “public sphere” and the “private sphere.” Men spent much of their lives in the “public sphere” which included politics, the economy, and government. While the women were expected to take care of the home, bear children, and help within the church in the “private sphere.” This ideology consumed Europe and North America for several centuries. Women were able to use the stereotypes of nurturing, commitment, and perseverance to their advantage when breaking the “separate spheres.” Many men and women believed that taking care of the home and family was the “private sphere,” and the “private sphere” was considered the women’s domain up …show more content…

Females were stereotyped as nice, took great care of the home, obedient to men, pure in every sense, sincere in their religion, and committed to their families. Although, women were and still are often considered physically weaker than men, Kathryn Hughes mentions in her article, “Gender Roles in the 19th Century,” that women were often viewed as morally superior to their male counterparts. A “true woman” was seen to create order within the home. It was viewed as the least she could do for the money and the social status her husband provided her. Bearing children and raising them to be productive in society, was and still is commonly believed to be the most important “job” a woman could have. If lucky enough during the nineteenth century, young girls may have gotten a small amount of schooling to only learn the basics. Most of the time, they stayed home with their mother, assisting her and learning how to take care of the home or the “private …show more content…

Foner writes in his book, Give Me Liberty, “Women’s letter and dairies often revealed a keen interest in political issues.” Women who helped with political campaigns would help organize, set goals, and empathize with voters. Showing their more nurturing side against a strong man made the election more personable. In fact, without the votes of many women supporters, Woodrow Wilson, would not have been re-elected as President of the United State in 1916. Women brought a powerful force to their new foreign sector; the public

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