How Did The Role Of Women Change From 1770 To 1860

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Between 1770 and 1860, the role of women in society transformed from their expected position as republican mothers to a new place as advocates for reformation. While republican mothers focused all their attention on domestic matters, the reformers of the antebellum era became public figures. Society persisted in its expectation that women be nurturing of others and dependent on men. However, female antebellum reformers defied society’s expectations by going outside the home in order to nurture a larger number of people in the society and promote the God-given rights they shared with men. Therefore, it can be seen that although much of society continued to expect women to do naught but remain the domestic CEO of their home and allow their husbands …show more content…

Although the opinions of some changed over the following century, much of society retained these expectations for women, continuing to observe laws restricting their rights. Although they were respected, women were viewed as second to men. Those who were successful owed much of the publicity they received to a man- despite the contributions and ideas that they brought on their own, society only truly listened to what they had to say if they had the support and encouragement of a husband, father, or brother. Adding to the unyielding laws enclosing women was the fact that they were not allowed to vote. They could speak against laws in public, but could not vote to abolish or change them. Despite the pressure to fit the societal mold of a perfect woman, some women fought stereotype by expanding the reach of their nurturing …show more content…

The Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention, was organized discuss the lack of rights for women, as well as their social and religious positions. During this convention, the Declaration of Sentiments was signed, calling for an alteration in these positions. Lucretia Mott, one of the orchestrators of the convention, went on to become the first president of the American Equal Rights Association. She and other women helped stand up not only for their rights, but those of other underprivileged groups, including slaves. The humanitarian nature of Mott and other reformers such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucy Stone helped gain them recognition in the public