- Published: September 26, 2022
- Updated: September 26, 2022
- University / College: University of Pittsburgh
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 27
Industrial revolution changed the status and situations of American women in many ways. These changes greatly occurred in the 19th century. The most profound way in which industrialization affected women was a cut into their traditional work and protest roles such as feminism that developed in 1914. This brought about a change in women’s occupational choices as they faced a conflict between earning wages, salaries as well as accomplishing their domestic chores (McBride 2014). This was crucial for women and led to evolution of women’s work structure and improvement of womanlike attitudes with respect to work that happened.
Important changes occurred included the elevation of women positions and set up of more demanding jobs. Industrialization shifted American economy from agricultural to an economy characterized by workforce enabling many women to enter the paid jobs. This was possible as women worked in textile industries, mining and agriculture.
A change in industrial configuration lessened the number women labors. Opportunities like being employed as a miner were then outlawed by the regime as being illegitimate for woman to toil as a drawer in coal excavating. Another impediment to the employment of women came from gender partition of labor. Gender defined the role of women and women discretely (Hillstrom et al., 205). The cultural devaluing of women household jobs camouflaged its continuation leading to decrease in economy importance.
The working place was another cause to limit the opportunities. That was possible when the working places were far away from women homes. Therefore, women were unable to comfortably work and at the same time taking care of their children (Sylvia 2008). Women who got married would rather stay home and look after children due to undue influence from their husbands and core cultural values that need to be adhered.
Works Cited
Cook, Sylvia J. Working Women, Literary Ladies: The Industrial Revolution and Female Aspiration. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print.
Hillstrom, Kevin, and Laurie C. Hillstrom. The Industrial Revolution in America. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, 2005. Print.
McBride, Theresa. ” McBride. Womens Work and Industrialization.” Stetson University. N. p., n. d. Web. 30 June 2014.