Northern vs. Southern Women from the 1800's to Now

Through many tolling years, the culture and development of women has changed significantly over centuries. Women, both Caucasian and African American alike, have overcome many obstacles to obtain their rightful places in society. The improvements have been few and far in between, and the progress slow and morose. Yet, even through the challenges of change, women have been able to remain optimistic about their futures.

During the 1840’s and ‘50’s, women from both the North and the South had unwavering roles that they played in their societies. Northern society bustled into wealth and culture. The homes were made more luxurious, adorning many intricate patterns, lush fabrics and intense colors. Higher standards for living were put into perspective, and women were the cornerstones to hold them in place. Women in the North were under the direct authority of their husbands, although few freedoms were allowed. Families were dependent upon the husband as the sole income of the house; workingwomen were considered a lower-class standard and only did so out of necessity. Many women were uneducated past an elementary level and encouraged to marry young. In the household, women were the cogs in the great oiled machine of family life. Though their education did not advance academically, women were deemed the “domestic guardians” of the home. Women “learned to place a higher value on keeping a clean, comfortable, and well-appointed home; on entertaining; and on dressing elegantly and stylishly.” (Chapter 10, Page 258) Women even developed a special female culture revolving around romance novels and magazines featuring shopping, homemaking, and domestic concerns of the modern housewife.

Though Southern culture had a much similar feel to its Northern counterpart, many differences had been carved through strict tradition and upbringing. Southern plantations, for various crops, were littered throughout the lower states. With more responsibility, and fewer economic pleasantries as the North, Southern culture became a staple on structure and obedience. As well as being the caretakers of the home, Southern belles had a greater challenge when it came to maintaining the honor and pride of their family names. Southern women also did not have the exposure to “city life” as Northern women did. Women took on more physical roles such as “spinning, weaving and other production; they participated in agricultural tasks; they helped the slave workforce.” (Chapter 11, page 274) The Southern housewife became more of an asset to the husband at the time rather than a companion. Similarly, Southern men would often knowingly have sexual relations with the female slaves and give birth to mixed children. To maintain the image of honor, the strength of the Southern woman was incredible and courageous.

African American women, both from the North and South, had it much harder than the Caucasian classes. Mistreated on the plantations and often sexually abused by their owners, black women in the South often had no education what so ever and little to no freedoms. Most were born into slavery and had known the struggle all their lives. Though, the Northern free slaves were not much better off. With little opportunity for employment and heavy segregation put into place, African American women did not have a much higher chance of success up North either. Even with the petty injustices set into place in the North, many black men and women preferred the Northern disassociation to the Southern cruelty and pain of slavery.

Unfortunately, not too much has been altered through the years. Though, we are just emerging into a society where women are thinking more freely and given more opportunity for advancement, you can see the streaks still left from the past. It has been only in recent times that women, both African American and Caucasian, were given the rights to vote and attend universities to receive proper education. But there are still many practices from earlier times that still reflect in our society today. The racism is still ever present, and even extends to both sides of the looking glass. And many women still hold the “housewife” training and mentality; to birth and raise children, become obedient to the husband, and indulge heavily into finer things as fashions and décor. Many traits have been carried over through generations, even amidst all of the societal change. Women are still seen as objects, though this term now pertains to many subjects. And women are still treated unequally to their male counterparts, both in the workplace and in society. Although I do not find the inequalities to be right, I do believe that many women are putting themselves in a position that is only feeding into the negative image that we have come to accept as normal. Women call certain behavior or apparel appalling, then repeat the same acts themselves. It seems we are, and have been, caught in a vicious circle that only wavers ever so often. But change will always be a byproduct of time, and the only thing with holding advancement is ourselves.

REFERENCES

Brinkley, Alan. "Chapter 10: America 's Economic Evolution." Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Vol. 1. [S.l.]: Mcgraw-Hill, 2013. 254-59. Print.

Brinkley, Alan. "Chapter 11: Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South." Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Vol. 1. [S.l.]: Mcgraw-Hill, 2013. 272-85. Print.

References: Brinkley, Alan. "Chapter 10: America 's Economic Evolution." Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Vol. 1. [S.l.]: Mcgraw-Hill, 2013. 254-59. Print. Brinkley, Alan. "Chapter 11: Cotton, Slavery, and the Old South." Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. Vol. 1. [S.l.]: Mcgraw-Hill, 2013. 272-85. Print.