Throughout history, it can be seen that women were often judged. Many times, this judgement was based upon their appearance. With this in consideration, the fact that newspapers carried stories obtaining specifically to proper women's dress for cycling during the 1890s should not come as a surprise. The idea that women needed to be careful of their appearance in public, especially pertaining to their demeanor and dress, evidently transferred to the Wheelwomen as well. Through this paper, the idea that it was not women’s behaviour in public that was of concern, but the concern surrounded the modesty of their clothing will be examined, along with the thought that this judgment was put forth from the minds of men, rather than those of women. This …show more content…
This debate persisted not only in personal conversation, but also through the media, in the form of newspaper articles. In 1899, there was a letter to the editor written in the New York Times precisely on this issue. In the letter, appropriately named “Women’s Bicycle Dress”, the author speaks his opinion on women riding bicycles. This author, J.G., argued that there was no excuse for a woman to ride a diamond-frame, or men’s style bicycle, even though the form of bicycle did not differ much between genders. He states that if a woman’s family could not, or would not stop her from riding such a bike, then a law should be passed in order to prohibit the behaviour. J.G. wrote that this would be on behalf of decency. After all, if a woman was seen straddling a frame designed for me, any man who sees them may have gotten an inappropriate idea in his head. It was this form of thinking that was pushed forward by men to attempt to make women conform into what was portrayed as an appropriate model for …show more content…
This article began “With the opening of the spring, the rising of the sap, the twittering of birds, and the ebullition of the young man’s fancy, there comes to us, also, a fresh installment of controversy with reference to the proper bicycle dress for women.” The language used in the article demonstrated to the reader that the author and intended audience were male. The ideas presents throughout the article were quite degrading towards women, which was often the norm during that time period. The article continued, and the author wrote about how after many attempts, and edict had been released regarding appropriate bicycle gear for women. The author seemed to essentially assume that it would be the woman’s job to ensure that she was dressed in a modest fashion, so that men she passed would not be distracted by her. The article did not make any mention that the men had the ability to look away. The author clearly summed up his thoughts, as well as the ideals of the general public when they wrote “If this garb does not become any woman, then that woman should not ride. She will look worse in any other costume. Wheeling is not her metier.” The final section of the article clearly indicated that woman were judged based upon the type of clothing they wore, as opposed to their actual behaviour in public.
Another issue that the writer seemed to have swept below the carpet is the morality of women. First, women seemed to have been despised until they started excelling in mass advertising. Also, the author seems to peg the success of the modern woman to clothing and design. This means that women and cloths are but the same thing. In fact, it seems that a woman’s sex appeal determine her future endeavours, according to the author. It is through this that I believe that the author would have used other good virtues of women to explain
The woman suffrage parades of 1910–1913: Possibilities and limitations of an early feminist rhetorical strategy by Jennifer Borda is fashioned during a period when annual parades were being introduced for the first time in the United States. The parades stimulated a unity among US women empowering them to discuss their progress and elaborate on the future needs. As such, the parades amalgamated the women’s feminist movement enabling them to pursue an audience from the political leaders at that time (Borda, 2011, p. 213-216). However, Borda vocalizes the challenges postured by the parades could impede the feminine movement and bring disparity to their image. Therefore, the divergence among women triggered the derailment of advocating for women’s justice.
Around 1851 a new fashion trend for women emerged that became a tantamount with the women’s right movement, but it didn’t stick around too long. It was discontinued due to people only taking notice of the trend and not the reasoning behind the trend. Anna Howard Shaw, a leader of the women's suffrage movement, would have a lot to say about this issue. Shaw makes many claims that make it clear that man needs to examine tragedies that have occurred and that the fault is solely theirs. Shaw would indicate that the trend diminishing was because of men. That being the case, I disagree with Shaw and encourage the idea of us all being human and the blame of these occurrences are no single gender or races fault but of historical, religious, and biological elements that force those ideas.
It seems if a woman does not follow what the television or magazines do, they will be considered a ‘disgrace’ to society. “By the 1930’s, mass advertisements on radio and in magazines persuaded women to purchase cosmetic products by appealing to her fear of growing old or being rejected by social acquaintances,” (Gourley 56). The beauty industry specifically targeted women, using the ideas of an often highly feminine related idea of vanity. This also talked about women’s apparel in clothing and how they weren’t able to dress casually since they would be titled, slob. As looks represent a lot in a woman, the body type of a woman has always struggled with maintaining since the ‘perfect’ body types are not what everyone has. “In the 1890’s women had full bosoms, round hips. In actual measurements they were probably no rounder than Miss Cox but they seemed so because they were shorter, tightened their waists into an hour-glass effect … Now, though, the ideal figure must have a round, high bosom, a slim but not wasp-like waist, and gently rounded hips” (“This is What…”). Ideals women that society has pushed onto women to be for them to have any chance in romance. Though many women can drift away from this the women, though they won’t admit to it, had struggled to meet the ‘set standard’ for women. This shows how after women have gained the rights of voting, gender roles
Although many stereotypes exist today about women, they were even worse back in the nineteenth century. Women were seen as delicate and unable to work for their own incomes; therefore, they were seen as the “weaker” sex. Because women did not have the brazenness to stand up for themselves, they continues to do what their husbands said. Society’s cultured view on women was t...
Women have been facing crisis of body image since the dawn of man, for competition in breeding purposes, however women came under great scrutiny because of this. Often through history, they have been at the same level of livestock, treated poorly. Creating a rise in the early 1900’s to create the movement about pushing for the equality of women in the United States; it was after then when media first started adopting an ideal image of women in American culture, when marketing research found the use of images of ideal women in their campaigns made for higher sales.
Men and women have social duties determined by their abilities and historical natures. Because these ideas are engrained in our heads, it is difficult to look outside the boundaries, which have been created. We must rise to the occasion, and accept the challenges these people present us with. Men should be able to take on "feminine" sports, even feminine roles, and still maintain "manliness." Similarly, women should be able to do the same. We are meant to learn from history, in order to prevent ourselves from making the same mistakes twice. We should then use these examples as learning experiences. We as a human race should strive to become one, not two separate genders within one grand facade.
During the Victorian Era, society had idealized expectations that all members of their culture were supposedly striving to accomplish. These conditions were partially a result of the development of middle class practices during the “industrial revolution… [which moved] men outside the home… [into] the harsh business and industrial world, [while] women were left in the relatively unvarying and sheltered environments of their homes” (Brannon 161). This division of genders created the ‘Doctrine of Two Spheres’ where men were active in the public Sphere of Influence, and women were limited to the domestic private Sphere of Influence. Both genders endured considerable pressure to conform to the idealized status of becoming either a masculine ‘English Gentleman’ or a feminine ‘True Woman’. The characteristics required women to be “passive, dependent, pure, refined, and delicate; [while] men were active, independent, coarse …strong [and intelligent]” (Brannon 162). Many children's novels utilized these gendere...
Early1900s was a decade filled with full of hopes and change in America. Not only men but also women had more opportunities to pursue their career because there were more employments available outside the home. America had established a culture of informal dressing that was setting a part from Europe, and this is due to rapid growth of industrialization along with growth of economy after the war. This allowed both men and women in America to set the bar for leisure and relaxation. Leisure sports such as tennis, basketball, cycling, and swimming were booming in popularity (Warner, 2006). This new change in culture demanded durable, utilitarian, and comfortable clothing. The idea of sportswear grew large and became new “American look” which was mainly taking place in New York City where the majority of fashions headquarters were located. Holding within the concepts of modernity and city life, sportswear became essential part of the style of New York City. Although people in the rural area weren’t friendly with this new cultural change in America, advertising and promoting consumerism allowed New York City to become fashion capital of America. The arrival of the post war ...
In the early 1900’s the ideal woman would be dressed with long dresses and would normally have long hair. Several events such as World War I, in July of 1914, changed women’s role in society. They were not only taking care of the children and the household but they were also taking the role of a man. As men went to war, women replaced them in factories. This caused woman to be more independent. Women realized that having a job was something that could be done; their sex didn’t restrict them from taking this action. This was extremely important as it lead to women being more confident and capable. In the 1920s young women began to change. They went from having long dresses and long hair, to a short haircut and wearing dresses that were above the knee. Women developed a greater interest in looking attractive. According to Russell L. Johnson, the beauty industry grew rapidly as cosmetic expenses sky rocketed from 750 million to 2 billion dollars (Johnson 3). This was one of the causes of the sexual revolution. Women became “ less formal but more expressive (Mag...
Today’s American women are following centuries old traditions of rebelling against society’s outlook on women around. Earlier in America’s history, it was unheard of for a woman to be in both the public and domestic sphere. Women were forced to spend most of their life in the domestic sphere, and wear ridiculous clothes everyday. For a long time, women have been degraded and pushed around, causing women to initial movements to change the way society treats women. In America, “the land of the free”, women have to fight for their equal rights. Reformers, such as Fanny Wright, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer and many more have done so through their actions, and speeches. Nevertheless, in recent times fashion has become an available source of expression. It is a powerful tool to be able to be seen and not heard--but still get the message across. Since its humble beginnings, fashion has oftentimes just existed, but in the past century, it has existed as a form of expression, art, and liberation Now, women are still being influenced and challenged by the media and their peer, but slowly, more and more women are standing up for themselves.
The women on the trail, though it shows, had little time to care about mending clothes, “The majority of the overland women wore what clothing they had and prayed that what they wore would not tear. They were too preoccupied with the necessities of the day to consider fashion at all (Schlissel 105). ” I would be happy if I were these women because that just means one less chore that was their “duty” to perform. In conclusion, the woman of the Victorian Era had her role in life planned out from before she was born. Although it was a dreadful role, these women carried it out in a way that shows their purity of the heart and willingness to do so many things for others and for little return.
Women used to dress very conservatively and strict before the turn of the decade. Clothing consisted of fitted dresses, long skirts, and corsets in lady like manners. Since the 1920’s brought women’s rights along, young women decided that they were not willing to waste away their young lives anymore being held down to the rules; they were going to enjoy life. The younger generations of women were breaking away from their old habits and their fashion statements changed their roles in society completely. Women were modeling their lives after popular icons...
As of today, celebrities like Emma Watson, (who kickstarted the HeForShe campaign through her UN speech) are speaking out against sexism and pursuing the path to social equality. This movement and mindset is reflected in the increased freedom of women. A large number of women today, lead independent lives, socially and economically and such sexism seen in vintage advertisements is uncommon. However this was not the case in the 19th century . The book ‘The Yellow Wallpaper is a case in
Tertullian. “Chapter1. Modesty in Apparel Becoming to Women, in Memory of the Introduction of Sin into the World Through a Woman.” On the Apparel of Women. Trans. S. Thelwall. Ed. Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. Vol. 4. Buffalo,NY: Christian Literature, 1885. Print.