Friday, July 6, 2007
Republican Motherhood
Republican motherhood was the concept that women should educate themselves in the principles of liberty, independence, and democracy so as to inculcate the coming generation with these republican values. This was one sign that women were becoming more respected as intellectually capable. I have never hear of this political philosophy of republican motherhood in any previous history class; however it seems to be an important part of women history. Due to republican motherhood women started realizing their important roles in society which had never before been recognized. During and after the revolution women's roles changed drastically. Republican motherhood gave them a sensible excuse to become educated in order to educate and raise this patriotic boys. While researching women's roles in society after the revolution and republican motherhood I found an interesting fact; in 1790 women's literacy was 1/2 that of men in and in 1850 men and women literacy was equal. As a result of the increase in education of women their roles in and out of the home changed. In schools between 1834-1860 female teachers went up from 56.35 to 77.8%; however they were paid 40% of a male teacher in the same position. This is only the beginning of women changing their roles and place in society. It would take many years after the American Revolution till women had equal rights as men and republican motherhood played a key part in this change.
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4 comments:
"Republican Motherhood"...hmmmm.. The Government is already trying to control the society at this time. Women have no say or rights. "How the heck is the Government going to tell me how to raise my children!" Do you think maybe some women said this? I do.
I think "Republican Motherhood" is sort of a glossy term that doesn't necessarily elevate womens' status too much. They still are asked to raise their children in a prescribed manner, and you would have to think that those concerned with the idea of "Republican Motherhood" only cared about the benefits for the male children.
I agree with Rachel completely on this and I also had not heard this term before this history class.
It is important to remember that the term "republican motherhood" was generated by historians as a way to describe this period. The term describes social forces involved with changing views/roles of women following the Revolution. The government was not forcing or legislating that women act this way, but many people believed mothers should rear their children in the context of republican ideals for the survival of the American republic.
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