American Women History: Cult of True Womanhood - Essay Example

American Women History: Cult of True Womanhood American Women History: Cult of True Womanhood During the nineteenth century, aprevailing system known as the cult of true womanhood was influential in changing the sphere of women. This system enhanced the value of women in the society. This was particularly experienced in the United States and Great Britain. The prevailing system engaged the views of many women across the region, which brought change in the world. As a fact, the value system was concerned with the emergent ideas of feminism. The women in the cult were proposing various ideas that would enhance the lives of women in the region. Secondly, the cult was specifically concerned with the dynamics of their work and family. Without women’s engagement in work and family, the family is not likely to make an impressive improvement. It is stated that, women have to emphasize on their values in improving their work, family and other aspects that affect the world. Thirdly, the cult was to support women’s role in homes. As a fact, the cult stated that women had fundamental roles in their family. As such, they were to diligently engage in the same roles to uplift their lives. As Thomas notes, during the 19th century, many groups were formed to help in promoting the standards of women in the world (Thomas, 2012). In the early 1820’s, whites were engaged in the issue of promoting the values of women in the society, as they were not given equal opportunities. This was enhanced by Protestants who joined in the group to help in improving the standards of women in the society. The Protestants were people from the Christian fraternity who felt the need to improve the sphere of women. As a fact, the Protestants were influential in the fight for value of women as they included religious backgrounds. With all the support from various groups, the cult was in a better position to implement their views on the values of a woman in the society. Since many people were concerned with the issue, the group recorded gradual success over the years. Though it was taking a long time, the forces behind the doctrine were committed to bringing change in the world. According to Thomas, true women were considered guardians of their home (Thomas, 2012). They stated that the women’s nature was particularly meant to suit tasks that are associated with homes. To begin with, the cult stated that women were spiritually pure. As such, they were in a better position to get closer to God. Pure People have a higher chance of getting closer to God, as opposed to people who are not purified. From their argument, it is explicitly seen that women remained pure at all times. This is due to the limited chances of exposure to the environment, which was degrading. The outside world was considered impure, as it had dire effects on the purity of an individual. The purity of an individual, as stated, is closely related to the innocence of the same individual. Clarke reiterates that, a pure individual will have innocence. However, an impure individual will have ruined individual innocence. Apparently, the cult stated that moral purity and the unrestrained competition in the world were not compatible. Therefore, many of the people that were involved in the entrepreneurship in the world were not likely to have moral purity. As a result, women were considered pure, when compared to the men in the world. In connection to this, the cult stated that men were spiritually inferior, due to their constant participation in different enterprising activities of the world. This enhanced the value of women in the world, as they were superior compared to men. With such a position, it was utterly necessary for women to be given the ultimate control and protection of their homes. Consequentially, women were to abide by various doctrines. First, they had to maintain their moral superiority. This enhanced their morality in the society. Secondly, they were given the homes as their havens. Therefore, they were not allowed to leave their havens. Leaving their havens would make them lose their innocence. Lastly, the women were to focus on their true womanhood. With such aspects and changes, the women attained their own sphere, which was different from the men’s sphere. A true woman, according to Clarke, was to be in charge of domestic chores (Clarke, 2006). A true woman was to be diligent in ensuring all the house chores are well articulated. In some instances, a woman had to seek services of other helpers to assist in performing the house chores. However, she was to be in charge of all the assistants in the house chores. It is stated that women were to prepare nutritious meals for their family. Secondly, women were required to nurture children from young age to adulthood (Clarke, 2006). Similarly, the women were to assist their children both physically and spiritually while nurturing them. Thirdly, a true woman was to be a helper to her husband. Such a woman was required to comfort her husband and sooth her after her husband’s encounters of the day. Lastly, the fundamental value of a woman in the home was to protect her family from the outside world. Most of the invasions from the outside world are likely to split the family. Therefore, to help cement the home together, the woman was required to be vigilant against any pollution from outside. Before the 19th century, the idea of a woman being confined to particular chores and responsibilities was existent. However, the idea was not well articulated. After the beginning of industrialization, many of the men were confined to working in industries (Boydston, 1997). As such, they had little time to concentrate on the home chores. After a whole day’s work, the men would come back to their homes exhausted and hungry. They expected to get comfort, nutritious food and a soothing wife. This idea nurtured the propagation of the true woman cult. It was prudent for women to take care of the home as men were deeply engaged in their daily work. Previously, women were engaged in other chores like farming and animal husbandry. However, the cult of true womanhood felt that the women were to get a clear image of what is expected from them. This would enhance the living in the world. As a fact, women felt that they had been doing most of the chores at home. Therefore, it would be appropriate if they fully engaged in jobs like nurturing the home and other related chores, since they were equally important. The cult of true womanhood was enhanced by the ideas from the definition of medical science in concern to the nature of women. According to doctor’s considerations, women were fragile when compared to men. As a fact, the women hold the womb for the growth of the nation. Thomas notes that, women should be protected since they are fragile (Thomas, 2012). Under such circumstances, women should be protected by staying at home, since it is the ultimate protection. While at home, they do not have to encounter the stress of the world. This is also enhanced by the belief of Darwinism, which states that only the fittest living organisms surviving in an environment. In connection to this, the men were the fittest organisms in the outside world. Therefore, they had a higher chance of surviving and containing the stressful world. However, women were not as fit. Therefore, they would be annihilated. To rectify such a situation, women were allowed to stay at homes and concentrate on the home chores. Enhancing the culture of a group needs consistency which is driven by consistency in character. In ensuring women were holding on to the cult of true womanhood, they have four cardinal virtues that were to be observed. First, the women had to value their religion. Religion was considered a pillar of development in the world. Therefore, the women had to follow their religious teachings to help in advancement in the world. Apparently, the religious leaders felt that religion would not derail women from their responsibilities and chores at home (Accessible archives Inc, 2013). On the other hand, pursuit of intellectualism would derail the women. This would take most of their time, as they would want to perfect their profession. Similarly, the religious fraternities believed that religion would control the women’s longings in the world. Therefore, they should appreciate their religion, as it would help them accomplish their duties. According to Boydston, women were to consider their purity in the world as a treasure (Boydston, 1997). Pure women were considered respectful and unmoved by earthly treasures. As such, women were to focus on maintain their purity by avoiding any interaction with activities that might jeopardize their pureness. For example, a woman’s greatest treasure was her virginity. Therefore, a woman was to remain a virgin until the right time. The virginity was lost on her marriage night, which marked the beginning of her long life journey. Women were to be submissive to their husbands. Submissive women heed to their husband’s advice, requests, and instructions. As such, the women were to be obedient. According to the cult, the women were to be as obedient as children were. Apparently, this is because men were regarded as superior over women (Accessible archives Inc, 2013). This was according to the appointment by God the creator. Fourthly, women were to observe domesticity. A woman was the sphere of their home, where the woman was to create an environment that is welcoming and habitable. This was to be a refuge and haven for the husband and children. For example, the woman was to be involved in feminine activities that would help the family. These include needlework, making beds, washing and tendering flowers. In conclusion, the cult of true womanhood explained the scope of a woman’s responsibilities at home. Clarke, Thomas, Boydston and Accessible archives Inc give a chronology of events that led to the propagation of cult of true womanhood. Though this had started long before the 19th century, the emergence of the cult emphasized the sphere of a woman’s job at home. References Accessible archives inc. (2013). Godey’s lady’s book. Malvern: Accessible Archives. http://www.accessible-archives.com/collections/godeys-ladys-book/ Boydston, J. (1997). The woman who wasn’t there: Women’s market labor and transition to capitalism in the United States. Pennsylvania: Journal of the Early Republic. Retrieved from: http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3124245?uid=3738640&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21103400582221 Clarke, E. H. (June 5, 2006). Sex in education. Gutenberg: Gutenberg publishers. Retrieved from: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18504/18504-h/18504-h.htm Thomas, J. D. (December 3, 2012). Female education, December 1830. Malvern: Accessible Archives. Retrieved from: http://www.accessible-archives.com/2012/12/female-education-december-1830/ Read More