(pg 177-186)
In this chapter of the book, I came across the concepts of the changes of the perception of women throughout the years, and how they are perceived in today’s society. In the 1800s and before, women of high status were considered angels, while the lower class girls were “another sort of creature, a necessary, though sometimes frightening, outlet for males’ sexual desire”. It also states that the men in this generation also saw two sorts of women; the wealthy and virgin-appearing, and the other “poor and morally loose”. Although I do believe this was true at this point in time, I also feel that in today’s society, this is the perception some people see as well. The women, who are raised in wealthy, loving families, are expected to do a lot with their life. This includes getting a job, having a family, being well off just as the environment they were raised in. The lower class group of women did not have these standards to live up to.
The increase of women taking the low paying more “female” jobs in 1910 had one fourth of all the women in the U.S. employed. These working women were underpaid and expected to live off of the support of their husbands. While this was inevitable back in the early 1900s, in today’s society, women are expected to go out and get a high paying job, many of which males also have a career in and be able to support themselves and also their family with or without a husband or family.
Roles of women in this society have drastically changed over the past 150 years.
Learning in the Age of the Trigger Warning
11 years ago
I completely agree with what you have said. I believe that women are most definitely looked at upon from where they come from, and their social status. The lower status women are sought out to be the "trashy" type. While the higher status women are "angelic" and become what ever they may want to become.
ReplyDeleteIn talking about women having jobs, and not have to worry about the support of their husbands or whomever, I agree with this as well. Women now have so many opportunities for them. They can essentially become what ever they want to become, and live up to that as a male would do.