Discuss+the+evolution+of+the+women's+roles+and+women's+opportunities+in+the+family,+the+workplace,+and+society.+AL

In the time period of 1815-1860's, women's roles changed and more opportunities arose for them. They were now able to do much more than before. Women's roles in the family, workplace, and society changed dramatically over this period of time.

When the women got married, they were confined to the house and they had to take care of the family. These are the beliefs of the Cult of Domesticity. This cult said that when a women of unmarried they could work as any man could work but in only certain types of factories. In the household, the young children were very close to their mother. The mom was the one who took care of the kids from the day they were born to the day they go work.

Women were given jobs in mills such as the Lowell Mill. One letter from a Lowell mill girl said that the girls start working at 5 o'clock; they eat breakfast at 7; and stay until half past 12. At one, they return to work and stay until 7 at night. Then the evening was all their own to use as they would like. They also said nothing is more tedious than a factory life (Document B). They worked 14 hour days most of the time, all within the mill. They would stay in dorms, provided by the mill, during the week. There were also certain restrictions they had to follow, such as, a curfew.

Women were now able to be more and more independent. Dorothea Dix, for example, was the leader of the reform movement to stop persecuting insane people (Document D). Bloomers were a new piece of clothing that women could wear under their skirts. Poeple thought these "bloomers" were different. As shown in the cartoon from Harper's New Monthly Magazine, two women are wearing bloomers and everyone arounf them is looking at them like they are weird (Document E). From Godey's Lady's Book, it said that women have an opinion that they shouldn't just be confined to taking care of their husband and family once they get married (Document C).

Women's roles in the family, workplace, and society changed dramatically over this period of time. These changes showed that women could do more than just work in the house, they could sustain a job and earn pay. They were more than just a house mother.