WOMEN IN PREINDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
I.
INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN IN PREINDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
A.
LIFE EXPECTANCY
1.
GREATEST PART OF HISTORY LIFE EXPECTANCY WOMEN LOW
2.
FEWER GIRL BABIES BORN - 100:105
3.
FOR OVER 1000 YRS LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN MALES
a.
LESS TO EAT THAN MEN
b.
CHILDBIRTH HAZARDOUS
c.
INFANTICIDE
d.
NURSING PATTERNS
e.
IRON
4.
AS LIFE EXPECTANCIES OF BOTH MEN & WOMEN INCREASED
5.
IN MID-17TH C LIFE EXPECTANCY OF SEXES ABOUT EQUAL
6.
BY LATE 18TH C WOMEN HAD TAKEN LEAD
a.
WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER RELINQUISHED
7.
WHY?
a.
WAR DEATHS FOR MEN
b.
MORE WOMEN TO CITIES FOR DOMESTIC SERVICE
(1)
PHYSICALLY NOT AS HARD AS FARM WORK
c.
MANY WOMEN DIDN'T MAKE MARRIAGE THEIR CAREER
(1)
SO DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN & DIE IN CHILDBIRTH
B.
MARRIAGE PATTERNS
1.
LATE MARRIAGE PATTERNS FOR WOMEN IN WESTERN EUROPE
a.
AVERAGE WOMEN MARRIED IN MID 20'S
b.
WOMEN NEEDED DOWRIES
c.
SO HAD TO WORK TO EARN THEM & DELAY MARRIAGE
2.
APPEARS HIGHER AGE AT MARRIAGE FOR WOMEN
a.
REDUCED SUBMISSIVENESS OF NEW BRIDE
3.
NOW INSTEAD OF 7-10% OF WOMEN NOT MARRYING
a.
NOW 20% REMAINED SINGLE FOR LIFE
4.
PROTESTANTS & CATHOLICS STILL FAVORED ARRANGED MARRIAGES
a.
TO PREVENT SELECTING SPOUSES BASED ON SEXUAL
ATTRACTION
5.
YOUNG MEN ACCEPTED ARRANGED MARRIAGE
a.
AS ONCE HEIR BORN IN MARRIAGE
(1)
MISTRESSES OK
6.
DEFINITE DOUBLE STANDARD
a.
WIVES DENIED SUCH FREEDOM
(1)
EXPECTED TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO HUSBAND
7.
DAUGHTERS OFTEN ECONOMIC LIABILITY AMONG PROPERTIED
CLASSES
a.
BECAUSE OF DOWRY
b.
BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF PHILOSOPHY GIRLS NOT AS IMPORTANT
C.
RIGHTS OF WIDOWS
1.
IN SOME AREAS LIKE FRANCE & GERMANY LAWS PASSED FORBIDDING
UNMARRIED WOMEN OR WIDOWS TO MOVE INTO CITIES
2.
AS WIDOWS & SINGLE WOMEN HAD MORE INDEPENDENCE
a.
NO MALE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER
D.
CONTROL OF HUMAN FERTILITY
2
1.
E.
F.
ANOTHER EVEN MORE NB DEVELOPMENT IN HISTORY OF WOMEN
a.
SYSTEMATIC CONTROL OF HUMAN FERTILITY
2.
IN PARISHES STUDIED IN ENGLAND & FRANCE IN 16TH-17TH C
3.
PEOPLE TENDED TO HAVE CHILDREN VERY QUICKLY AFTER MARRIAGE
4.
OFTEN BRIDE ALREADY PREGNANT AT MARRIAGE
a.
1/4 - 1/3 BRIDES WENT TO ALTAR PREGNANT
5.
BY LATE 17TH C IN SOME PLACES STUDIED
6.
AFTER BIRTH OF 3RD OR 4TH CHILD BIRTHS LESS FREQUENT
7.
THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN MATTER OF DELIBERATE CHOICE
8.
NOT JUST RESULT OF WOMEN'S AGE OF MENOPAUSE
9.
DID WOMEN LIMIT THEIR CHILDREN BY CONTRACEPTION OR
INFANTICIDE OR ABORTION?
a.
ANSWERS STILL NOT COMPLETE
10.
MUCH EVIDENCE OF VARIETY OF HERBAL BREWS TO PREVENT
PREGNANCIES
11.
WITH INCREASED PRINTING PRESS, ETC. PERHAPS KNOWLEDGE
DECIMATED MORE READILY
12.
ALSO INCREASED REFERENCES TO ONANISM
13.
BUT PURITANS & OTHERS RANTED AGAINST ONANISM &
MASTURBATION
a.
AS CURES FOR PREVENTION OF CONCEPTION
14.
USE OF BIDET BY 18TH C. IN FRANCE
a.
BUT NOT USED TO AVOID CONCEPTION
b.
BUT TO AVOID VENEREAL DISEASE
15.
BY 18TH C. CONDOMS
16.
PROBABLY COITUS INTERRUPTUS MOST WELL KNOWN METHOD
INFANTICIDE
1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF IT BUT TEXT COVERS IT SLIGHTLY
NURSING
1.
HISTORIANS THINK VARIATIONS IN ATTITUDES TOWARD BREAST
FEEDING INFLUENCED USE OF CONTRACEPTIVES
2.
EXTENDED BREASTFEEDING CONTINUED FROM RENAISSANCE
3.
TO BE EMPLOYED BY WOMEN TO SPACE BIRTHS
4.
& PROTECT HEALTH OF THEIR BABIES
5.
NURSING WAXED & WANED IN POPULARITY
6.
STUDIES OF THIS IN ITALY MOST NUMEROUS
a.
ELITE CHILDREN SENT OUT TO WET NURSE ARRANGED BY
FATHER
b.
HISTORIANS THINK EVIDENCE OF MALE DISINTEREST IN CHILD
c.
GIRLS LEFT WITH WET NURSES LONGER THAN BOYS
7.
CATHOLIC CHURCH HAD AMBIVALENT IDEAS ON THIS
8.
ON ONE HAND STRESSED DUTIES OF MOTHERHOOD
a.
IN 16TH C FRANCE - WOMEN WHO REFUSED TO NURSE WORSE
THAN BEASTS
9.
BUT ON OTHER HAND CHURCH LONG ARGUED THAT MAN'S DEMAND
FOR RESUMPTION OF SEX SO PREEMINENT
a.
THAT IT HAD TO BE CONCEDED EVEN IF RESULTED IN
INTERRUPTION OF MATERNAL NURSING
b.
& ENDANGERED LIFE OF NEWBORN
10.
ENGLISH NOBLE MOTHER OFTEN SENT 1ST CHILD TO WET NURSES
3
G.
H.
a.
BUT LATER BIRTHS NURSED THEMSELVES
b.
TO WHAT APPEARS TO BE CONTRACEPTIVE MEASURES
11.
IN 18TH C DOCTORS & PHILANTHROPISTS LED CAMPAIGN IN FAVOR OF
WOMEN NURSING ALL THEIR CHILDREN
12.
AWARENESS OF MOTHER'S FIRST MILK - COLOSTRUM
a.
NEEDED TO BE GIVEN TO BABY
(1)
NOT THROWN AWAY
13.
CONTRASTING NURSING PRACTICES OF FREN, & ENG. APPEAR TO BE NB
ROLE IN EXPLAINING RECOURSE TO CONTRACEPTIVES FOR FRENCH
14.
ENG. BREASTFED MORE THAN CONTINENTAL COUNTERPARTS
a.
SO INFANT MORTALITY RATE LOWER IN ENGLAND
b.
& BIRTHS MORE WIDELY SEPARATED
(1)
20 MONTHS APART
15.
UNTIL LATE 17TH C FREN.SENT OUT THEIR CHILDREN TO WET NURSES
a.
SO MORE CHILDREN CLOSER TOGETHER THAN LOWER CLASSES
16.
BUT STUDIES SHOW HIGH INFANT MORTALITY RATES FOR WET
NURSING
a.
IN ROUEN 18.7 % OF INFANTS NURSED BY THEIR MOTHERS DIED
b.
RATE AT LEAST TWICE FOR THOSE SENT TO WET NURSES
17.
SO IN 18TH C. FRENCH NOTABLES TURNED TO CONTRACEPTION
a.
BOTH TO PROTECT MOTHER AGAINST EXCESS FERTILITY
b.
& TO GUARD AGAINST HIGH MORTALITY RATE FOR CHILDREN
18.
FRANCE HAD HIGHEST RATE OF INFANT MORTALITY IN EUROPE
19.
& IN ENGLAND SINCE INFANT MORTALITY RATES LOWER
20.
LESS INCENTIVE TO EMPLOY CONTRACEPTIVES
21.
& BECAUSE OF EARLIER INDUSTRIALIZATION & DEMANDS FOR CHILD
LABOR, ETC.
a.
INCENTIVES TO HAVE LARGE FAMILIES
FOUNDLING HOSPITALS & ORPHANAGES
1.
LATE 17TH & EARLY 18TH CENTURIES
a.
NEW INTEREST IN PRESERVING LIVES OF ABANDONED CHILDREN
2.
LARGE FOUNDLING HOSPITALS & ORPHANAGES
a.
ESTABLISHED ALL MAJOR NATIONS
3.
2 MOST FAMOUS
a.
PARIS FOUNDLING HOSPITAL 1670
b.
LONDON FOUNDLING HOSPITAL 1739
4.
LONDON HOSPITAL BY MID 18TH C HAD TOO MANY CHILDREN
BROUGHT TO IT & NOT ENOUGH INCOME
a.
SO WENT TO LOTTERY SYSTEM
5.
THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN IN ORPHANAGES
6.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA 25,000 CHILDREN PER YEAR
7.
TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN DEATHS OF INFANTS RESULTED
8.
SO UNTIL MID 18TH C FAMILIES HAD JUST ENOUGH CHILDREN TO
SUSTAIN POPULATION
SEXUALITY
1.
CHASTITY DEMANDED WOMAN'S VIRGINITY UNTIL MARRIAGE FOR
MIDDLE & UPPER CLASS
2.
& FIDELITY TO HER HUSBAND AFTER MARRIAGE
3.
MARRIAGE MANUALS GAVE ADVICE EXACTLY REVERSE OF WHAT
BOOKS COUNSEL TODAY
4
a.
I.
THEY ADMONISHED HUSBAND NOT TO AROUSE HIS WIFE TO ANY
EXPECTATION OF SEXUAL PLEASURE
4.
THOUGH THIS REPRESSIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD SEXUALITY IS OFTEN
ATTRIBUTED TO PURITANISM
5.
IT IS FOUND IN WRITINGS OF CATHOLICS AS WELL
a.
WAY BEFORE PURITANISM EVER HEARD OF
6.
YET AT SAME TIME RISING RATES FOR ILLEGITIMATE BIRTHS &
PREMARITAL PREGNANCIES
a.
SUGGESTS LOWER-CLASS WOMEN HAD MORE FREEDOM BEFORE
MARRIAGE
7.
IDEAL OF CHASTITY SEEMS TO BE PART OF IDEAS UPPER CLASSES
URGED UPON LOWER CLASSES
8.
IRONY OF IT ALL IN UPPER CLASSES ADULTERY QUITE COMMON
9.
BUT WE DO NOT HAVE FIGURES FOR ADULTERY IN PEASANT CLASSES
WOMEN IN ECONOMY
1.
FAMILY ECONOMY ESTABLISHED MANY OF CHIEF CONSTRAINTS
a.
ON LIVES & PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN
2.
WOMAN'S MAIN VALUE & WORTH PREDICATED ON HER ABILITY TO
ESTABLISH & MAINTAIN HOUSEHOLD
3.
SO MUCH OF WOMAN'S LIFE DEVOTED
a.
FIRST TO AIDING HER PARENTS IN THEIR LIVELIHOOD
b.
THEN TO HER HUSBAND'S IN HIS
4.
BUT KIND OF WORK GIRL & THEN MARRIED WOMAN DID
a.
MARKEDLY DIFFERENT BETWEEN CITY & COUNTRY
5.
BY 7 YOUNG GIRL EXPECTED TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO
HOUSEHOLD
6.
AS 3/4 POPULATION LIVED IN COUNTRY
a.
MAJORITY OF MEN & WOMEN WORKED IN AGRICULTURE
b.
CONTINUING LINE OF HUNDREDS OF YEARS
c.
UP TO RECENTLY IN MANY AREAS OF EUROPE & AMERICA
(1)
FARMING WAY OF LIFE
7.
IF ON FARM
a.
CHICKENS
b.
WATERING ANIMALS
c.
CARRYING FOOD TO ADULT WORKERS
8.
IN URBAN ARTISAN'S HOUSEHOLD
a.
CLEANING, CARRYING
b.
LATER SPINNING, SEWING, WEAVING
9.
GIRL WOULD REMAIN IN HER PARENTS HOME AS LONG AS SHE MADE
REAL CONTRIBUTION TO FAMILY ENTERPRISE
10.
OR AS LONG AS HER LABOR NOT MORE VALUABLE & REMUNERATIVE
ELSEWHERE
11.
FARM GIRL WOULD LEAVE HOME USUALLY BETWEEN AGE OF 12 AND
14
a.
GO TO ANOTHER FARM
b.
MORE LIKELY MIGRATE TO NEARBY TOWN
c.
SHE WOULD RARELY TRAVEL MORE THAN 30 MILES FROM HER
PARENTS HOUSEHOLD
d.
& WORK AT LEAST 10-20 YEARS TO ACQUIRE NECESSARY
CAPITAL FOR DOWRY
5
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
e.
AS MARRIAGE ECONOMY PARTNERSHIP
ONCE MARRIED
a.
WOMEN NOT ONLY DID HOUSEWIFE DUTIES
b.
BUT ASSISTED HUSBAND IN
(1)
GROWING CROPS
(2)
CLEARING LAND
(3)
DAIRY PRODUCTS AS SIDE INDUSTRY
(4)
WEAVING & PRODUCING OWN CLOTHING
(5)
MAINTAINING GARDEN, ORCHARDS
MOST FARMS NOT ADEQUATE SIZE FOR HUSBAND TO WORK FULL TIME
ON FARM
a.
WHILE WIFE CARRIED THINGS, ETC. FOR HIM
HUSBAND USUALLY HAD TO DO WORK OTHER THAN FARMING
a.
SUCH AS FISHING OR MIGRANT LABOR
SO WIFE ACTUALLY MIGHT HAVE BEEN IN CHARGE OF FARM
a.
DOING PLOUGHING, PLANTING, HARVESTING
IN CITY WIFE OF ARTISAN OR MERCHANT OFTEN ACTED SOMEWHAT IN
CAPACITY AS BUSINESS MANAGER
DOMESTIC DUTIES, CHILDBEARING & CHILD REARING SUBORDINATE
TO ECONOMIC SITUATION
IF ECONOMIC DISASTER STRUCK FAMILY
MORE OFTEN THAN NOT IT WAS WIFE WHO ORGANIZED WHAT ONE
HISTORIAN HAS CALLED
a.
ECONOMY OF EXPEDIENTS
b.
WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS MIGHT BE SENT OFF TO FIND WORK
ELSEWHERE
c.
OR EVEN BEG IN STREETS
WOMEN OF POORER CLASSES DID SAME MANUAL WORK AS MEN
a.
STREET SWEEPING
b.
HAULING WOOD, BUILDING SUPPLIES, MINING
WITH DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM & PAY FOR WAGES
WOMEN'S DOMESTIC LABOR CONSIDERED NOT WAGE WORK
SO UNPAID
& ALWAYS IDEA WORK FOR WOMEN TEMPORARY UNTIL EARNED
ENOUGH FOR DOWRY OR REMARRIAGE
SO WOMEN NOT ALLOWED INTO PROFESSIONS REQUIRING LONG
TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIP ETC.
BUT AS WIDOWS COULD CONTINUE HUSBAND'S BUSINESS
a.
SOMETIMES 10-15% OF PARTICULAR CRAFT MADE UP OF WIDOWS
SO WOMEN ALWAYS IN POSITIONS OF LESS TRAINING & STATUS
DIVIDED INTO
a.
RETAILING - SALES
(1)
FOOD, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
b.
SERVANT & SERVICE
(1)
EXTENSION OF WORK WOMEN DID AT HOME
(a)
COOKING, CLEANING, CHILDCARE, NURSING &
CARING FOR ELDERLY
(2)
DOMESTIC SERVICE LARGEST SINGLE EMPLOYER OF
WOMEN
(a)
15-20% OF POPULATION OF MOST CITIES DOMESTIC
6
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
J.
II.
SERVANTS
(b)
HIGHER IN COUNTRYSIDE
GIRL MIGHT LEAVE WHEN AS YOUNG AS 7 OR 8 TO
BECOME SERVANT
(a)
IN HOME OF RELATIVE
(b)
MOSTLY COMPLETE STRANGER'S HOME
AS DID NOT MARRY UNTIL 25-30,
HER CAREER AS SERVANT MIGHT BE AS LONG AS 20 YRS
BEFORE MARRIAGE
EARNING UP ENOUGH FOR DOWRY
BUT SERVICE ALSO LIFELONG OCCUPATION FOR MANY
WOMEN
CONCLUSIONS
1.
AS EARLY MODERN PERIOD PROGRESSED NOTICEABLE
DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN WOMEN & MEN'S WORK ESPECIALLY IN
TOWNS
2.
THOSE POSITIONS IN SOCIETY REQUIRING MORE TRAINING &
EDUCATION CLOSED TO WOMEN
a.
DUE TO FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES OF WOMEN
(1)
WHETHER SINGLE OR MARRIED
b.
IN 1500 WOMEN HAD BEEN ESSENTIAL PARTS OF HOUSEHOLD
WORKSHOPS
c.
THEIR STATUS RECOGNIZED BY COMMUNITY
d.
SOME WITH AUTHORITY OVER JOURNEYMEN & APPRENTICES
e.
BY 1650 WIVES & WIDOWS COULD NOT LONGER HAVE ACTIVE
ROLE IN PRODUCTION
(1)
YOUR TEXT COVERS
f.
WOMEN WHO WORKED RECEIVED LOWER WAGES THAN DID MEN
FOR SIMILAR WORK
g.
& HAD NO SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
h.
THEY WAGES SO LOW THEY OFTEN HAD TO WORK 12-16 HOURS
DAY TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES
i.
& TAKE WHATEVER WORK AVAILABLE PARTICULARLY IF THEY
HAD A FAMILY TO SUPPORT
j.
ECONOMIC NEED FOR CHEAP LABOR KEPT WOMEN;S WAGES
LOW
3.
WOMEN INCREASINGLY EMPLOYED IN PART TIME & LOW TRAINING
JOBS
4.
WOMEN DABBLERS
5.
AS LIFE STYLES ROSE & MORE THINGS TO PURCHASE
6.
WOMEN DID MORE DOMESTIC "HOUSEWORK" TYPE WORK
7.
& THIS WORK WAS NOT VALUED AS HIGHLY AS WAGES MEN EARNED
IN EARLY CAPITALISTIC SOCIETIES
AREAS WHERE WOMEN APPEAR TO HAVE LOST STATUS
A.
GENERAL REMARKS
1.
AS LOST ECONOMIC POWER
a.
ALSO LOST LEGAL POWER
2.
IN EARLY MODERN PERIOD FRENCH WOMEN COULD NO LONGER
a.
PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS
7
B.
b.
TESTIFY BEFORE VARIOUS COURTS
c.
OR ACT IN PLACE OF ABSENTEE OR INSANE HUSBAND
3.
LAWS OF SAXONY & ENGLAND
a.
PROHIBITED WOMEN FROM UNDERTAKING LEGAL ACTIONS
b.
ENGLISH WIFE HAD TO BE REPRESENTED BY HER HUSBAND
c.
HAMBURG STATUTE OF 1603 STIPULATED THAT
(1)
WOMEN CAN NEITHER BRING A MATTER UP BEFORE THE
COURT NOR TRANSFER OR HAND OVER PROPERTY
WITHOUT A GUARDIAN
d.
BAVARIAN LAW PROHIBITED A WOMAN FROM SELLING
ANYTHING W/O HER HUSBAND;S CONSENT
e.
IN ENGLAND HUSBAND ENJOYED ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER HIS
WIFE'S PERSONAL PROPERTY
WOMEN IN ECONOMY
1.
AS 3/4 POPULATION LIVED IN COUNTRY
a.
MAJORITY OF MEN & WOMEN WORKED IN AGRICULTURE
b.
CONTINUING LINE OF HUNDREDS OF YEARS
c.
UP TO RECENTLY IN MANY AREAS OF EUROPE & AMERICA
d.
FARMING WAY OF LIFE
e.
WOMEN NOT ONLY DID HOUSEWIFE DUTIES
f.
BUT ASSISTED HUSBAND IN
(1)
GROWING CROPS
(2)
CLEARING LAND
(3)
DAIRY PRODUCTS AS SIDE INDUSTRY
(4)
WEAVING & PRODUCING OWN CLOTHING
(5)
MAINTAINING GARDEN, ORCHARDS
2.
WITH DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM & PAY FOR WAGES
3.
WOMEN'S DOMESTIC LABOR CONSIDERED NOT WAGE WORK
4.
SO UNPAID
5.
& ALWAYS IDEA THAT WORK FOR WOMEN WAS JUST TEMPORARY
UNTIL EARNED ENOUGH FOR DOWRY OR REMARRIAGE
6.
SO WOMEN NOT ALLOWED INTO PROFESSIONS THAT REQUIRED LONG
TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIP ETC.
7.
BUT AS WIDOWS COULD CONTINUE HUSBAND'S BUSINESS
a.
SOMETIMES 10-15% OF PARTICULAR CRAFT MADE UP OF WIDOWS
8.
SO WOMEN ALWAYS IN POSITIONS OF LESS TRAINING & STATUS
9.
DIVIDED INTO
a.
CRAFTS, SALES, SERVICE
b.
SPINNING
c.
RETAILING - SALES
(1)
FOOD, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
d.
SERVANT & SERVICE
(1)
EXTENSION OF WORK WOMEN DID AT HOME
(a)
COOKING, CLEANING, CHILDCARE, NURSING &
CARING FOR ELDERLY
(2)
DOMESTIC SERVICE LARGEST SINGLE EMPLOYER OF
WOMEN
(a)
15-20% OF POPULATION OF MOST CITIES DOMESTIC
SERVANTS
(3)
GIRL MIGHT LEAVE WHEN AS YOUNG AS 7 OR 8 TO
8
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
C.
D.
BECOME SERVANT
(a)
IN HOME OF RELATIVE
(b)
MOSTLY COMPLETE STRANGER'S HOME
AS DID NOT MARRY UNTIL 25-30,
HER CAREER AS SERVANT MIGHT BE AS LONG AS 20 YRS
BEFORE MARRIAGE
EARNING UP ENOUGH FOR DOWRY
BUT SERVICE ALSO LIFELONG OCCUPATION FOR MANY
WOMEN
CONCLUSIONS
1.
AS EARLY MODERN PERIOD PROGRESSED NOTICEABLE
DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN WOMEN & MEN';S WORK
2.
THOSE POSITIONS IN SOCIETY REQUIRING MORE TRAINING &
EDUCATION CLOSED TO WOMEN
a.
DUE TO FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES OF WOMEN
b.
IN 1500 MANY WOMEN HAD BEEN ESSENTIAL PARTS OF
HOUSEHOLD WORKSHOPS
c.
THEIR STATUS RECOGNIZED BY COMMUNITY
d.
WITH SOME AUTHORITY OVER JOURNEYMEN & APPRENTICES
e.
AS WELL AS MAIDS & CHILDREN
f.
BY 1650 MASTERS; WIVES & WIDOWS COLD NOT LONGER HAVE
ACTIVE ROLE IN PRODUCTION
g.
WOMEN WHO WORKED RECEIVED LOWER WAGES THAN DID MEN
FOR SIMILAR WORK
h.
& HAD NO SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY
i.
THEY WAGES SO LO THEY OFTEN HAD TO WORK 12-16 HOURS
DAY TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES
j.
& TAKE WHATEVER WORK AVAILABLE PARTICULARLY IF THEY
HAD A FAMILY TO SUPPORT
k.
ECONOMIC NEED FOR CHEAP LABOR KEPT WOMEN;S WAGES
LOW
3.
WOMEN INCREASINGLY EMPLOYED IN PART TIME & LOW TRAINING
JOBS
4.
WOMEN DABBLERS
5.
AS LIFE STYLES ROSE & MORE THINGS TO PURCHASE
6.
WOMEN DID MORE DOMESTIC "HOUSEWORK" TYPE WORK
7.
& THIS WORK WAS NOT VALUED AS HIGHLY AS WAGES MEN EARNED
IN EARLY CAPITALISTIC SOCIETIES
AREAS WHERE WOMEN APPEAR TO HAVE LOST STATUS
1.
IN EARLY MODERN PERIOD FRENCH WOMEN COULD NO LONGER
a.
PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS
b.
TESTIFY BEFORE VARIOUS COURTS
c.
OR ACT IN PLACE OF ABSENTEE OR INSANE HUSBAND
2.
LAWS OF SAXONY & ENGLAND
a.
PROHIBITED WOMEN FROM UNDERTAKING LEGAL ACTIONS
b.
ENGLISH WIFE HAD TO BE REPRESENTED BY HER HUSBAND
c.
HAMBURG STATUTE OF 1603 STIPULATED THAT
(1)
WOMEN CAN NEITHER BRING A MATTER UP BEFORE THE
COURT NOR TRANSFER OR HAND OVER PROPERTY
WITHOUT A GUARDIAN
9
d.
e.
BAVARIAN LAW PROHIBITED A WOMAN FROM SELLING
ANYTHING W/O HER HUSBAND’S CONSENT
IN ENGLAND HUSBAND ENJOYED ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER HIS
WIFE'S PERSONAL PROPERTY