Discussion: What were women's roles in the early republic?
If one concept seems essential to understanding the circumstances of middle-class white
women in nineteenth-century America, the concept is "the cult of domesticity," the
phrase historians have coined to describe the ideology, advanced in thousands of
publicans over many decades, of woman's place in society. Woman's proper sphere was
the home, commentators agreed; females were uniquely suited to raise children, care for
the needs of their menfolk, and devote their lives to creating a nurturing home
environment. Women were inherently more pious, gentle, instinctive, and submissive
than men, it was argued; therefore, they had no place in the world outside the home. It
was believed that women should concentrate their energies on running their households,
not on seeking to enter the world of men by agitating for the vote or for other modes of
participation in public life.
Yet the cult of domesticity, seemingly confining, subverted its own intent. If women
were so uniquely suited to caring for young children, some contended, then they should
dos o as teachers in schools as well as in their own homes. If women were naturally
religious, then they should join foreign missions and work in domestic charitable
organizations.
Below are two documents that discuss women's proper roles in the early republic. The
first is by Lydia H. Sigourney, one of the most popular female authors of the nineteenth
century. It is a chapter from her book entitled Whisper to a Bride. The second document
was published in Godey's Lady's Book, the most widely read women's magazine of the
time. It was probably written by the magazine's editor Sarah Josepha Hale.
Lydia H. Sigourney, "Home." (1850)
Home! - sweet word and musical! - keytone of the heart, at whose melody, as by the harp
of Orpheus, all the trees in its garden are moved, holy word! refuge from sadness, and
despair, best type of that eternal rest, for which we look, when the journey of life is
ended!
Home, - blessed spot! - for which the sick yearn, and the stranger sigheth, among people
of a strange speech, where none taketh him by the hand, who seeth casements glimmer
through the evening storin, and firesides sparkle, - but not for him! ...
Blessed Bride, - thou art about to enter this sanctuary, and to become a priestess at its
altar. When thy foot first presseth its threshold, ask in thy secret soul, wisdom from
above, to make the place of thy rest, fair and holy.
Bring with thee the perennial flowers of a pure affection; and however humble may be
thine abode, beautify it by neatness, and order, and the ministries of love. Desire that it
shall be thine own, and choose not to dwell under the roof of another, that thou mayest
avoid care.
In the thronged hotel, a married man hath not his true pre-eminence. At the table of
another, he misseth the honor that belongeth unto the head of a household. He is
subordinate, and may not show that hospitality which God commendeth.
For his sake, therefore, acquaint thyself with the knowledge that appertaineth unto a wife
and a housekeeper. If thou art deficient in this knowledge, rest not, till thou hast acquired
it. It cometh readily to an attentive mind, and groweth with experience.
He, who chose thee, above all others, to bear his name, and to share his fortunes, hath a
right to expect of thee such knowledge. Defraud him not, by continuing in ignorance, nor
make thy beloved a stranger to the comforts of home, that thou mayst fold thy hands in
indolence.
For the Apostle hath said, that "no man liveth unto himself" More especially should a
woman, when she hath promised to be no longer her own, renounce self, as the aim of her
existence....
Consider the sphere in which thou art placed, as the one in which God willeth thee to be;
and show kindness, and do good to all, according to thine ability.
Count thy husband's relatives as thy own; and if he hath parents show them the respect
and tenderness of a true daughter. Be grateful to them for the culture of his virtue, whose
fruits thou art gathering, and under the shadow of whose branches thou dost repose in
peace.
Should his, or thine own parents, reside under the same roof with thee, give thanks for the
privilege. For so thou mayest have opportunity to repay some portion of the affection of
their cradle-watchings, and tender care, and patience of hope.
Whatever service their feeble years may require, render willingly, and with a cheerful
countenance. Covet their prayers more than gold; and by filial piety, win their blessing....
Forgive me, Oh Bride, if in the time of thy joy, I have spoken too gravely unto thee of
life's cares. Yet in these very cares lies the secret of woman's happiness, more than in the
haunts of pleasure, or the giddiness of mirth.
And in thy faithful efforts to make home beautiful and holy, the wings of guardian spirits
shall enfold thy bosom, and give thee strength from above.
"Maternal Instruction." (1845)
It takes a long time for the world to grow wise. Men have been busying themselves these
six thousand years nearly to improve society. They have framed systems of philosophy
and government, and conferred on their own sex all the advantages which power, wealth
and knowledge could bestow. They have founded colleges and institutions of learning
without number, and provided themselves teachers of every art and science; and, after all,
the mass of mankind are very ignorant and very wicked. Wherefore is this? Because the
mother, whom God constituted the first teacher of every human being, has been degraded
by men from her high office; or, what is the same thing, been denied those privileges of
education which only can enable her to discharge her duty to her children with discretion
and effect. God created the woman as a help-meet for man in every situation; and while
he, in his pride, rejects her assistance in his intellectual and moral career, he never will
succeed to improve his nature and reach that perfection in knowledge, virtue and
happiness, which his faculties are constituted to attain.
If half the effort and expense had been directed to enlighten and improve the minds of
females which have been lavished on the other sex, we should now have a very different
state of society. Wherever a woman is found excelling in judgment and knowledge, either
by natural genius or from better opportunities, do we not see her children also excel?
Search the records of history, and see if it can be found that a great and wise man ever
descended from a weak and foolish mother. So sure and apparent is this maternal
influence, that it has passed into an axiom of philosophy, it is acknowledged by the
greatest and wisest of men; and yet, strange to say, the inference which ought to follow,
namely, that in attempting to improve society, the first, most careful and continued efforts
should be to raise the standard of female education, and qualify woman to become the
educator of her children, has never yet been acted upon by any legislators, or
acknowledged and tested by any philanthropists.
What is true of the maternal influence respecting sons is, perhaps, more important in the
training of daughters. The fashionable schools are a poor substitute for such example and
instruction as a thoroughly educated and right principled mother would bestow on her
daughters. The best schools in the world will not, in and of themselves, make fine
women. The tone of family education and of society needs to be raised. This can never be
done till greater value is set on the cultivated female intellect. Young ladies must be
inspired with high moral principles, noble aims, and a spirit of self-improvement to
become what they ought to be. Maternal instruction is the purest and safest means of
opening the fountain of knowledge to the young mind.