Christina Rio
History 330
Dr. Prescott
13 December 2012
True Womanhood: A Blessing in Disguise
It is has been argued, debated, and fought upon for centuries in which men are and always will be the dominant sex, the ultimate provider, and the head of household. However, over the last several decades historians have come to the conclusion that women played a vital role throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. One could argue that the expectations of women far outweighed their male counterparts. The expectations of men versus women were clearly defined and it was socially unacceptable to defy one’s gender obligations. The ideology of the true womanhood did not contain self destructive elements. The definition of true women cannot be found in a textual context but must be bear witnessed too. The social expectations of women were without doubt gender bias but did not pose physical harm to women. The social expectations were simply of the time and women had to do what they had to do in order to maintain a profitable living. It was a fine line in what was properly considered to be lady like. Unfortunately women had to compete with a male dominated society, and a double standard which women were always on the losing end of. Women had expectations and were bred and groomed in a manner that was deemed lady like. The social restrictions alone attest for the majority of these conditions. Women were bound by piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity. If a woman possessed piety she was instilled with righteousness and she in turn would teach her offspring. Religion, specifically seminars and academics allowed a true purpose and task in life. Religion was viewed as an outlet for women. It was something to keep their mind busy and as not to stray off the path. A humorous cartoon of The Simpson’s portrays Marge as always the one dragging the kids and Homer off to church every Sunday as part of her womanly duties. The show, while rather infantile is an accurate representation of how women are expected to act. Religion was a women’s saving grace, it made them desirable to men and it essentially gave them a place in a world amongst men. It was a women’s responsibility to teach men about God’s purpose through pure passionless love. In other words, a women’s sexuality was simply to procreate and not intended for physical pleasure. It’s a small task but a vitally important one when it came to all things religious. It was just something men did not hold high priority too. A women’s virtue was her livelihood. It was the mark that defined who she was and it was visible for all to see. A women’s virtue was the one bargaining chip to use to her advantage. It gave women power in a world where they possessed little to none and it was used to keep men in check and to control their urges and desire. Women did not have much to speak about oneself but a women’s virtue was more precious than gold. It was learned at an early the worth of a women and the value she held. However, once it was given away, all value was gone and she was then viable to be seen as a Mary Magdalene rather than the Virgin Mary. The curse of the “fallen women” was bestowed upon a woman who chose to release it prematurely. The ultimate gift was intended to be cherished and safe guarded for without purity a woman was not considered woman but an outcast, a shame upon society. Women were generally thought of as the less dominant sex or the submissive. It was this role in which women were treated with less responsibility (according to men) It was the women’s job to be faithful to her husband, tend attend to his every need including sexual favors and maintain the home. She was a servant to both husband and God. She could not claim rights to anything, not even her own children that she bore. It was a quiet, revered lifestyle. As the submissive women were taught at a young, impressionable age as how to speak, act, and to properly conduct oneself in a
