Introduction
Women are critical constituents in any population and their presence cannot be undermined under any circumstances. They play a role in the society and various things would not go on as expected without them. Their roles range from family related duties to economy associated roles.
They take part in various income generating activities that uplift the economy in one way or another. They are however undermined in some cases and deprived of the chance to put their potentials into action (Brooks 280). This piece of work gives a critical analysis of a woman’s work in the19th century and the evolution experienced. Different modules will be used to enhance our understanding of the topic.
Discussion
As stated earlier, women were engaged in various activities such as domestic work, teaching and education, working as merchants, factory workers, performers and artists, helping in war among other tasks (Demos 12). This assignment will discuss what women in the 1800s were involved in. Much emphasis will be given to domestic work, teaching and education as well as their engagement in factories.
In the 19th century, women were highly involved in domestic work. This was very tiring and time-consuming and mostly done out of necessity rather than choice. It was the responsibility of a women to undertake household chores for instance soap making, gardening and taking care of livestock, candle dipping, cooking, weaving, cleaning and washing, butter churning as well as chopping wood among other duties.
The most common activities in which women were involved in include washing clothes, sewing, spinning as well as knitting. Some did this solely while others combined domestic chores with other occupations (AAS).
Teaching and education is another field where women were involved. As the need for literacy increased following American Revolution, women became involved in the education sector both as students as well as teachers. Girls were encouraged to undertake various literacy courses and girls’ schools were opened.
The learning environment was conducive with some privileges so as to attract women. Women were advised to take courses such as machine sewing and economical housekeeping. Manual labor was also encouraged. Most women also found pleasure in teaching, for instance, in Sabbath schools (AAS).
Women also worked in big mills and small factories. Some made clothes in mills using machines. There were factories that offered boarding facilities for women who could not be able to commute from their homes to the factories. This shows the significance that was attached to the women as a source of labor in the mills.
Paper milling was common where they produced paper used to make books and other products. Fruit picking from the farms and canning was also done by women in the mills. Although working at the factories was very time consuming and a bit cumbersome, it paid relatively well (ASS).
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is evident that women play a great role in the society. This is through being involved in various activities, both domestic as well as income generating, all aimed at supporting their families and the society at large. Women, in the 19th century, found great involvement in domestic chores, factory work, teaching and education among other sectors of the economy. For this reason, women cannot be underemphasized in the society.
Works Cited
American Antiquarian Society (AAS). “A Woman’s Work is never done: Teaching and Education.” American antiquarian, 2004. Web.
American Antiquarian Society (AAS). “A Woman’s Work is never done: Domestic Work.” American antiquarian, 2004. Web.
American Antiquarian Society (AAS). “A Woman’s Work is never done: Factory Workers.” American antiquarian, 2004. Web.
Brooks F. James. “This Evil Extends especially…to the Feminine Sex’’: Negotiating Captivity in the New Mexico Borderlands. Feminist Studies, Vol. 22, No. 2 (1996), pp. 279-309.
Demos, John. The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story From Early America. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.