My Semester in a Women's Study Class

It is amazing to see the leaps and bounds women have taken throughout US history. Once being slaves to their husband's whims, women have fought their way from nearly the lowest ranks in society to a point where there is almost complete equality. 

As of today women have stepped into the roles in the work place that were once considered a man's job. Women today are found in every industry and even positions of power within a company. Even with this fairly new chance for equal opportunities, there is still and issue with unequal pay that needs to be taken care of. For some reason the US still has women making less than a man working the same job, in many situations. Women are also assumed to have specific jobs while working in a certain field. For example, if a women is working at a hospital she is assumed to be a nurse or if a women is working at office building it is assumed that she is a secretary. It is these almost automatic speculations that we need to get out of the heads of Americans. This, of course, will take time.

As we have discussed in class, social movements go in waves like a bell curve. Right now I believe we are working our way to the top of one of these curves. The media has definitely been showing women's inequality as an issue in our society as of late. With the "This is What a Feminist Looks Like" campaign in Europe, supported by big names like Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Emma Watson, the trend is slowing making its way to the US because of our love for these amazing stars.  

This course has definitely opened my eyes to the struggles that women have faced to get to where they are today and also to the future struggles that they will continue to face to get to where they should be. I still believe that the word feminist leaves a bad taste in peoples' mouths and will continue to do so until they are educated on what the world really means. I never really thought of myself as a feminist before but I have always believed that everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender, or sexual orientation.

"Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment. A feminist advocates or supports the rights and equality of women." (Thank you Wikipedia) 

Equal opportunities for women. I think this is the key fact here. I will admit that I have almost always associated the word feminist with radial feminist. But feminism isn't about making women better than everyone else it is about allowing them the same opportunities as men. The movement needed to get off the ground somehow and without these radical feminists however, that might never have happened. There is always a fine line to balance when it comes to social movements and this one is no different. There is still more work to be done but what the public needs right now is education.

"Ban the Bra"

On September 7th, 1968 Robin Morgan organized a protest at the Atlantic City Miss America pageant. Many women arrived with signs that read "welcome to the Miss America cattle auction". They also had signs depicting naked women with their body parts labeled like a piece of meat. Along with this, a "freedom trash can" was placed at the scene where women could toss out any items of theirs they deemed to be symbols of women's oppression.

Also that year, the SCRUM Manifesto was written by Valerie Solanas. This stood for Society for Cutting Up Men. The SCRUM Manifesto was written to show that men ruined the world and that women could fix it. This was a very radical work by a very radical women who eventually attempted to murder Andy Warhol. The manifesto begins ""Life" in this "society" being, at best, an utter bore and no aspect of "society" being at all relevant to women, there remains to civic-minded, responsible, thrill-seeking females only to overthrow the government, eliminate the money system, institute complete automation and eliminate the male sex." Although it may have contained valid views on the current oppression of women, it was a bit too radical for many and was often not taken seriously. 

Many girls were beginning to realize that there was an actual problem with the way society was putting them down. This was when they knew they could take action. Besides participating in radical protests, they were going to school and getting into politics. Glamor magazine was producing articles about girls going to college. From 1955 to 1965 the amount of women earning degrees had doubled and to 1969 it tripled, only escalating from there.      

(Douglas, Susan J. "Throwing Out Our Bras." Where the Girls Are: Growing up Female with the Mass Media. New York: Times, 1994. 139-61. Print)

Wives With Brains

In the 1960's women felt trapped. More women were going to college than ever but they were still stuck in the happy housewife routine. They were getting jobs in the work force but usually as clerics and other service jobs. This did not provide women with very much money, their pay was actually cut from 1955 to 1960. Some universities at the time were opening higher education to older women who wanted to get their degrees and help get into more meaningful jobs.

"Experts" were beginning to do studies on the women of their time. They found that previous expectations for their women were becoming unrealistic. It's surprising that it took this long to figure that out. It had taken radical changes in society (and a cold war) for them to come to terms with the fact that not all women wanted to be that happy house wife. The studies showed that women who worked needed more support with their children and that even women with an education didn't find themselves in jobs.  

Women were taking on more volunteer roles; assisting each other in the community.  Girl scouts and fund-raisers spread though neighborhoods and communities. These communal activities helped pave the way for more activist movements; forming organizations to help bring forth the "mother's issues."     

( Evans, Sara M. "Decade of Discovery"." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 263 - 285. Print.)

Feminine Mystique

It wasn't long before the world experienced yet another change. Anxieties over global politics masked cultural anxieties about sexual norms. Women were becoming the scapegoat once again. The KKK and the White Citizens' Councils helped light the fire under these cultural anxieties by attacking anyone who was out of the "norm". Communists were feared and so was anything out of social family tradition. Anticommunism and homophobic campaigns were run to dilute the public and military forces of "sexual perverts". The government would even go as far to compare communism with homosexuality. Lesbians and those who were even mentioned to possibly be lesbians were dismissed from army services as "undesirable". Gay and lesbian bars were even subject to police abuse. It was like the Salem witch trials all over again. History really does repeat itself.

During this time period, women were also seen as a symbol of safety and security...well most of them that is. Agnes E. Meyer of Atlantic Monthly stated "Women have many careers but one vocation - motherhood...It is for woman as mother, actual or vicarious, to restore security in out insecure world." Women were now being told, once again, to get back in their place of taking care of the home and the kids. Society was trying to survive though a scary time in history and all they wanted was something familiar; grounding them to a comfort they could rely on, in this case it was their women.

In the 1950's, the "dominant domestic ideology" later known as the "feminine mystique" had placed women almost solely into the role of wife and mother. Although there was no way to turn back the clock on women's sexuality, society was now driving the idea of sexuality for women towards motherhood. They were allowed to be sexually active but they could not be the one in charge. Even actresses of the day were becoming more submissive in the roles they played. All of these eased the anxieties that males had.    

( Evans, Sara M. "The Cold War and the "Feminine Mystique"." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 243-262. Print.)

War, What Is It Good For

During World War II women's roles became much more patriotic. The tasks that used to be considered unladylike were now "patriotic duties." Women entered the work force on a massive scale, planted "victory gardens", recycled, rationed food and gas, volunteered at the Red Cross, and even joined the armed services.

As the men left to go to war, the women were left to pick up the slack. Not only was it their job to take care of their families but also to keep society moving forward in an effort to bring forth success in the war. This was often not an easy decision for women, especially mothers. They were hesitant to step into the previously male dominated industrial workforce due to their previously known social norms. The government, however, made an effort to ease the anxieties of these women through propaganda campaigns. Rosie the Riveter was a massive icon ("We can do it!"). They also produced films showing how the work they would be doing was similar to the work they were already doing in the home (ex. cutting airplane parts in analogy to cutting out a dress).    

Propaganda also wanted to make sure that women knew that their work was only temporary. Women were going to need to give these jobs back to the men when they returned home. It was made clear that women belonged at home taking care of their children. While the women were away at work they allowed family members to take care of their children. On the other hand many women did not have child-care plans in place. When the government eventually set up day-care programs for young children, they were barely about to keep up with the current demand.

( Evans, Sara M. "Women at War." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 219-241. Print.)

The Great Depression

With the crash of the stock market in 1929 came the crash of the optimism the 20's had brought around. All the hard work women put in in the 20's fell apart; flappers disappeared, and young people rethought marriage altogether. Low wages brought around unemployment for a hundred thousand workers each week. It was tough for anyone to get a job. Men felt like failures because they could not provide for their families. Some men left their homes while others turned to alcoholism and even suicide. Men were frustrated with women in the workplace because of the fact that there were limited jobs for all.

African American women were discriminated against, often finding jobs as domestic laborers but still finding that they were not being paid enough to support their families. During this time however, the idea was back to "a woman's place is in the home." Many men put the blame on women for there not being enough jobs. Someone needed to be the scapegoat in this situation and women were it.

Families grouped together to aid each other in their time of need and poverty. Women rekindled their skills in the home, helping to stretch provisions, mend clothing, and plant gardens. Charities and religious groups set up soup kitchens thanks to women workers. Many farm families were out of luck however. While urban families faced starvation, rural families were struggling to sell their good for what they were actually worth. Many switched to cash crops to make more money but ended up limiting themselves on food. They were forced to dress their children in flower sacks. Rural women showed ingenuity as well; cooking from scratch, getting water from wells, and working long hours in the fields.          

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

The 1920’s was a time for pleasure, consumption, sexuality, and individualism. Women were beginning to have shorter skirts and makeup that was once associated with prostitution. The older generation was often appalled to find their young girls dressing in such manners and experimenting with their sexuality. But the media said that this was okay. Films and ads were being produced to emphasize this exciting new change in society. High schools and colleges (thanks to coeducational universities) were now the perfect environment to help foster these new courtship rituals.

With new courtship rituals came new marriage rituals. It was becoming common to marry for love and companionship. The introduction of birth control made sex an act that could be committed between two people for pleasure without the risks that came with child bearing when one was not prepared for it. Women who wanted to have sex could do it because they enjoyed it and had an emotional tie to their partner not just in the case of wanting a child. This was putting a lot more pressure on women; pressure that they never had previously put on them before. They had the most to lose. Women were expected to go after the men, seeking out economical and social securities that was brought forth with a marriage. The life of a single woman was considered "unfulfilled."

The ideals of the norm where being shifted in this time period, that is, the norms for heterosexuals. Although sexual pleasure was being separated from procreation, such relationships between women were categorized as "deviant." Lesbians did not consider themselves any different than anyone else, and now they were being placed in a group and given a title by "experts." They were forced to figure out new ways of meeting each other, be it though literature, work, or female sports. Even with the new emphasis on self expression it was difficult to accept ones self for who they are in a society where who you are is not a part of the new social norm. 

( Evans, Sara M. "A Time of Devision." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 175-196. Print.)

New Women and The Working Girl

Getting a college education was finally becoming a possibility for women. Women were beginning to take steps into growing fields like teaching and nursing. But as this new statistic increased it game women a choice; get married or live a self sustaining life. Many women choosing the latter, if they did end up getting married after college, would marry later in life and even had fewer children. Half of these women never ended up getting married, even if their parents disapproved. Researchers tried to prove that too much education was harmful in the development of children. Others however, went on to say that education helped lead to better mothers, increasing the health of the woman and their child.

Being able to work and take care of themselves without the help of a man was empowering to women. Although cities were overcrowd and sanitation was an issue, there was a great push for pleasure and consumption through the introduction of movies and amusement parks, leading both men and women out of their homes to enjoy a brighter side of life. After young women got out of work they could go to a dance hall and enjoy them selves and even mingle with young men. Their clothing had become less restricting and even a bit more revealing with the exposure of the ankles. It was the perfect atmosphere for a women to be able to express her sexuality. Once she eventually became married however, there was not much time for relaxation and pleasure and it was back to a life within the family sphere. 

The Gilded Age

Family ties between freed slaves were so strong, after the obtained their freedom they went out in search of family members they had lost. Many were unsuccessful but it showed their determination. Their freedom meant they no longer had to take orders from anyone else. This was a time to rebuild their lives, raise families, learn to read and write. They even formed their own churches, which soon became the foundation for the African American community.

Difficulty came with freedom however. Many whites refused to hire those who used to be slaves but lent them seeds and land to “help” start their lives, in the hopes of getting a share of their cops as payment but this only led African Americans in this situation into a deep debt. Those who could be self sufficient still had the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan to watch out for. Women worked in field besides their men simply to help provide for their families and in hopes of giving their children a better life.

Life was hard on immigrants as well. Immigrant women were used to hard work back in their homelands, but America was a whole new environment for them. The cities were crowed and noisy and many families lived in boarding houses just so they could afford a place to live. Foreign women did whatever they could to benefit their families, this included carrying buckets of water and heavy laundry up several flights of stairs. 

Women Used Charm: It’s Super Effective

The mid 1800’s was the beginning of social reform for women. Radicals were doing everything in their power to get women to be viewed on the same level as men. Well, not everyone opened up to radicals so the process was slow. Many knew they needed to take it one step at a time. The first step was with marriage. In April of 1848 state legislature passed a law that allowed women to maintain ownership of the land they brought into a marriage. This was a huge step. Now the idea of equality for women was on peoples’ minds if the government was taking action.

Reverend Horace Bushnell preached in 1846 about women’s influence. So what did this mean? Bushnell was letting the ladies know that men did not like to feel overpowered, especially by women, and the way to gently get them to accept the new ideas of the women were to subtly bringing it into conversation instead of approaching it fervently. Women were supposed to be gentle and soft and they could use these qualities to their advantage. Their womanly charm was a way to ease the men into a new way of thinking. This was quite different than how many other preachers preached. They argued that the “sin of Eve” was the reason for woman’s subordination to men, mainly due to the masculinity of Jesus.

Many news papers began to create stereotypes for both men and women for advocated women’s rights saying that many of the women were “old maids” and never very attractive and feminine to begin or that they have come from bad relationships and wish to put down all men. The men who participated were said to be overly influenced by their wives and “ought to wear petticoats,” (a type of woman’s wear) questing their manliness. But the fact that men were joining the fight was great for activists! They could use all the help and support they could get.

( Evans, Sara M. "A Time of Devision." Born for Liberty: A History of Women in America. New York: Free, 1989. 93-118. Print.)

Spheres and Labor

In the 1800’s, the American society focused on separating male’s lives from female’s lives. This is to say, the work they did was separated into “spheres” of home and work. Woman were to stay at home and be sheltered from the world; this was the private sphere. The public sphere was for men; this was the work place. Books were even beginning to be wrote about what it took to be the perfect housewife.

Women had more control over who they married now more than ever before. They could marry for love but they also had to be very careful. They were still seen as being subjects under their husband and were often times abused because of it.  

By the 1820’s, schools for young women were beginning to sprout up. In these schools women were taught their to “exercise their influence over children.” Woman had the ability to instill their values and teach their children about the world they lived in. This lead to an increase in demand for teachers and women were right there to take up the slack but they were only paid half or even a third of what a male teacher would be paid. Even with the low wages, women were finally breaking into the public sphere.

The Revolutionary Era

Women’s participation in political positions remained nonexistent throughout the revolutionary era. Even if a woman wanted to get involved in politics it would have been difficult due to their lower literacy rates at the time. But no matter who you were, this was a time in history where you could stand up for their freedoms. This was surprising to men to see women rallying and congregating in mobs. It was time for them to show their strengths and prove that they just as good any anyone else.

With politics on everyone’s mind, how could the ladies possibly keep their thoughts to themselves? Many observers noticed that women were getting caught up in the commotion more so than the men. They worked hard to provide more American made clothing and even avoided buying British imported teas. They seemed to be the fire under their husbands’ and sons’ behinds, acting as fuel for their patriotism. 

During times of war, many women would seek shelter but those who followed the soldiers assisted as much as they could. These women cooked, did laundry, served as nurses, and generally improved the group’s morale. A few of them even served as spies or soldiers. Back at home, while the men were away the women had to pick up the slack. They ran farms and businesses and took the place of many men in their society. 

This new power made them think, why were men and women not equal? The answer was simple: women were not given the same opportunities as men. And this is where the paradox begins. Women were not given the same opportunities in education as men but if they were they were believed to lose their femininity which would be improper for a woman. Many men of the time believed woman to be inferior and possibly undeserving of knowledge but now that the women were able to show off what they were really capable of, it began to turn the tides on many people’s ways of viewing women.

1607-1770

The woman of the 1600’s were destined to live under the rule of their husbands. The only way a woman could avoid this at the time was to remain unmarried or become a widow. The only amount of power they really had was in their social circles. Everyone knew everyone else’s business and gossip was prominent. Many women worked together exchanging goods, selling milk and butter, and helping with children.

There was a great social divide. Men wanted women to submit to them the way a man would submit to God. Women were to take care of the home, allowing men to go out on all of their adventures. It was not common for a woman to be able to read or write, especially if they were poor.

The New World was a rough place for both men and women. Only one out of four children lived past one year old. African women who had been taken as slaves, taught their children of their memories of home.

When women resisted the social norms often times they were beaten and punished. In the case of the Salem witch trials, fourteen women and six men were put to death under the assumption that they were witches. Those who were accused were done so because they of the fear of powerful women. They did not believe that women should hold places of like those of men.

With the production of consumer goods increasing in the 1700s, a woman’s role around the house began to shift. This was the time of the “pretty gentlewoman”. Instead of doing so much work in the fields, they were now sent into the home to prepare it for guests and keep it neat and clean.

The First American Women

Women played a huge role in Native American culture and society. Even the Native American creation myth begins with a woman. This already begins to show you that women were a valued part of their culture. While the men went out to hunt and gather food the women would stay at home to cultivate their social and management skills. They were the life blood of the tribe. They were the ones to keep things in order while the men were gone; tending fields, raising children, growing food, and mending huts.  

Depending on the tribe, certain tasks were given out depending on gender. But on the other hand, there are a few recorded cases of women becoming tribe leader and even taking on the role of a man and going hunting. There is nothing stopping strong woman from stepping up and taking on a role they know they can fill, it was often encouraged.

But the Europeans did not see things as the natives did. They wanted to imagine the culture of the tribes in comparison to their own instead of viewing it as its own separate and viable thing. They found it outlandish and even insulting that they would give such important jobs to women. As the Europeans began to force their own ideals on the natives, they found that they would not be swayed so easily from their own way of life...and with good reason. Many Europeans took Native American women for wives but did not treat them fairly.

With two worlds mixing, instead of one taking over the other and pushing out any hint of it, it is interesting to imagine what it would have been like (in a perfect world) if the majority of the settlers embraced the cultural differences with the natives and became a new united culture; each teaching the other everything they have to offer and working towards a common goal together.