Gender Trifles

b) In comparison to the last article, this second article segregates its paragraphs based on the decade in which it is referring to, following a chronological order from roughly 1850 to present time. While one way to discuss the article would be to draw on the main points from each decade, I am choosing instead to discuss the overall main points from the article and using the different time periods for support. These main points of discussion being how economics, politics and social changes of gender impact aprons appearance, style, materials, manufacturing and purpose throughout the twentieth century. As such, the first point of discussion is economics, which contributed to what people could afford to buy as well as the make of the apron.

For instance, during the war the feed sack aprons had a comeback as many textile companies were transformed into military related manufacturing plants, reducing the amount of fabric there was accessible . However, these lacks were also considered patriotic for this exact reason as sewing your own apron was seen as conserving to allow for the war effort to continue and expand . An additional example of how politics impacted the appearance of the aprons is during the 1960s, also known as the age of the ‘hippie’ image. During this time period aprons presented more modern appearances, materials and styles based, which were reflective of movement such as “the Space Race, the women’s liberation movement, the Vietnam War, and the resulting hippie movement” . Essentially, the new vibrant colours were associated with the hippie movement, which to some it may feel that wearing this product demonstrates a support for the movement . Consequently, advertisements for aprons change depending on the political perception of the decade, while wearing the aprons itself also demonstrate a person’s views of the politics at the

From the Victorian era until even today we recognize aprons as a symbol of work within the kitchen although the practicality and appearances have changed dramatically over time. Nevertheless, aprons were a feminine item as the domestic sphere was seen as women’s sphere with society trying to keep men and women’s spheres separate for decades, though ever this ideal changed with time too. This first change occurred during the 1920s where aprons took on a more boyish appearance reflecting a more gender equitable time when women received the right to vote . The opposite idea occurred in the post-war period as aprons advertisements were used to move women back into the domestic sphere as a means of allowing men to take back their roles in the public sphere . These images played to the idea of gendered food preparation in which women were seen as better cooks and bakers with aprons continuing to be a symbol of this norm. Finally, today aprons are still present as a practical item within the kitchen, however, they have become less gendered in this sense being more masculine in appearance as to allow for the idea that both men and women are sharing work in the home . That being said, costumes of maids that include the smaller aprons demonstrate how aprons continue to be a symbol of how we perceive the different genders aside from