The Role Of Women During The Industrial Revolution

Although women have been faced with many obstacles that challenge their liberty and freedom, they have always proven men in power wrong. During the Industrial Revolution there were significant changes to society in America, including women’s participation in the public sphere. Although women’s action and evolution into the public sphere is not normally taught, they made compelling developments. Women’s roles were often limited to domestic work and caregiving as a result of the separate spheres. These spheres were created by men and women that divided their interest by femininity and domesticity. However, with the rise of industrialization, women were able to use their femininity to break out of the private sphere. Women were also given opportunities

During this time women’s participation in the public eye is overlooked and not taught enough in history classes. For example, in my US history class I learned about child labor and immigration. Although women started working since they were children, there wasn’t much information about what their day to day life was like. This is because of the historical bias against women, which had led to their participation being minimized and abandoned. There is also a lack of diverse perspectives in history leading to a narrow focus on the experiences of women.

This was because of the social barriers that prevented women from entering the public sphere. Women had started to participate in politics, and created many movements about their working rights and conditions. When the Industrial Revolution started to increase the number of factories and mills, it offered new employment for both men and women. Women were offered jobs such as seamstress, potteries, and paper factories. They were now able to earn money that would contribute to their households, and also gave women a newfound sense of economic independence. When women entered the workforce, it showed a great shift in traditional gender roles. However, since women had started to work in factories, they were faced with discrimination, harassment, poor working conditions, and lower wage.The pay between men and women was also significantly different, while men were paid ten shillings and women were paid half. (TESTIMONY) Some women had to work in coal mines, and would haul the carts full of coal that would be attached to their waists by a strap. They took this chance to enter themselves in politics and create movements, arguing that they deserved better working conditions. (EXAMPLE) Women also continued the suffrage movement. Although it started in the mid-19th century, it gained significant momentum during the Industrial Revolution. Not only did women participate in politics