Old Fashioned Notions about Marriageable Women
I’ve shared many quotes (with sources) from the Victorian Era shedding light on the attitudes and expectations of men (and women) regarding females most suited (or not) to the institution of marriage.
Education in the Old West
Victorian-era American schools, even in the Old West, were so much more than one-room schoolhouses. High schools were prevalent and seen as preparatory for University. Though western one-room school teachers are often portrayed as predominately male, female teachers were preferred–and the reasons might surprise you.
Victorian Attitudes: The Weaker Sex & Education
After reading one little segment (a “one-night stand”) within Richard Shenkman and Kurt Reiger’s One-Night Stands with American History: Odd, Amusing, and Little-Known Incidents. I have just one thing to say: I was born in the correct century. Maybe not as far as chivalry and honor among men go, but definitely as far as prevailing attitudes regarding education of females. I share one section of Shenkman and Reiger’s entertaining book, with two cited sources.
WOMEN ARE DUMBER
In the late 1800’s many physicians regarded increased female education as a primary factor in a general decline of female health. A woman’s brain was simply not capable of assimilating a great deal of academic instruction (and that’s just the beginning of the quote).
ANNOUNCEMENT: Sweet Americana Sweethearts
I’m delighted to announce my affiliation with the Sweet Americana Sweethearts Blog. It features authors of Sweet & Clean romances set throughout North America between the years of 1820 and 1920.
19th Century Washing Machines
Laundry was a greater challenge– and more work– than most amateur historians comprehend. Even when methods gave way from a washboard to a washing machine, the amount of physical labor required was nothing simple. Manual washing machines didn’t become available until quite late in the frontier era– after the Transcontinental Railroad went through. The washing machine was first available to order through a catalog in the late 1880’s.
