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Make Up Questions
1. The “cult of domesticity,” which consigned women to household and familial functions while
reserving the professions and business to males, grew stronger in the 19th century. “Whereas
children in the colonial period had often been regarded as little adults who were to begin full-time
work at the age of 11, they were increasingly viewed as requiring extended moral education and
socialization within the family. Although this child rearing could have been shared equally by
both parents, Americans in the early 19th century developed the notion that women were
uniquely equipped to perform this function. Sometimes perceived as immoral temptresses in the
colonial period, women came to be portrayed as morally superior to men—and consequently as
best suited to inculcate moral character into the nation’s youth.” How did this perceived “superior
moral compass” limit women? How does it continue to limit women? How did this sentiment
limit the suffrage movement? What historical events in the 20th and 21st century echo these
sentiments? On a whole, do people in the 21st century still believe in the “cult of domesticity”?
And does it depend on a woman’s role? (Example, mom of young child, college student, young
professional, retired grandma, etc…) (Chapter 4)
2. If the American welfare state cannot combat social and economic inequalities (see page 570),
who can? What, as an emerging social worker, would you have done to help? What other
agencies could you pair with? (Ch.14)
3. The women’s movement effectively achieved suffrage with the passage of the Nineteenth
Amendment. However, the women’s movement was (and is still) criticized for being the
movement of middle-class white women. What lasting effect did the women’s movement of
the Progressive Era have on the women’s movement of the 21st century? What can the
women’s movement of the 21st century do to be more inclusive? What has the women’s
movement learned from the movement of the Progressive Era and beyond? (Ch.14)
4. Some white settlers did not own land. When they were impoverished, they were known as
“human waste” or “rubbish” or “white trash.” Those white people that could not obtain land in
the New World were often in its lower class. How would sentiments of poor white people in the
Colonial era compare to those in the 21st century? How might their political actions be similar or
different? (Chapter 3)
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History Questions
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History Questions
Question 1
The perceived superior moral compass on women had several limitations on women, both
in the past and in modern society. This was an extremely high standard placed on women, such
that they could not make (they were not allowed to make) any mistake. Their male counterparts,
on the other hand, could make mistakes and their actions would be excused because they were,
according to the moral compass scale, not perfect. If a woman did the same “immoral” things
men did, they would be shunned by society. They were always expected to be nice, warm,
nurturing, welcoming, and obedient.
Having such qualities meant that they were the best candidates for child-rearing, and
were believed to be able to do it by themselves. This meant that a married woman had no other
responsibilities outside her home – she was expected to be a good wife and great mother. The
corporate world was to be for the man only so that the woman had all the time with the children
in her home. When a woman was found to have sexual relations with multiple men or drinking a
little too much, she would be bashed for leading a reckless and immoral life, whereas the man
would be excused and even praised for his behavior.
Today, this superior moral compass continues to limit women. For instance, women are
easily labeled as prostitutes and whores even if their behavior or lifestyle is not different from the
men around them. Today, however, this superior moral compass has loosened quite a lot.
This sentiment also worked against the suffrage movement of its time. Women were not
expected to be part of politics, which was seen as tough and sometimes dirty. Participation in
politics encompasses voting, which was the core agenda of the women’s suffrage movement.
Women who participated in the suffrage movement were seen by society as wayward and not
staying in their place. They looked greedy and ungrateful for the protection offered by their
husbands (for women who were married). Women who wanted to venture into their careers
rather than be the principal caregivers of their children or homemakers of their households were
seen as selfish – putting their needs ahead of their families.
On a whole, people in the 21st Century have shifted from the ‘cult of domesticity. More
people are finding that domestic life is not all that there is to being a woman, and having a happy
family is not the ultimate sign of success. More women say that they do not aspire to have
children of their own. There is a rise in the number of couples who do not want children (Neal &
Neal, 2022). Some women have also expressed their lack of desire for marriage (Sims & Meana,
2010).
Many of the ...