The Cult Of True Womanhood Essay, Research Paper

The Cult of True Womanhood

The “Cult of True Womanhood” has greatly influenced society throughout

all of America’s history. This set of standards was first accepted and practiced

by all of the European colonies. They were then passed through the generations

and, in many cases, still exist. I’ll describe the essay, “The Cult of True

Womanhood,” and discuss my views on it. I’ll then illustrate how these standards

are still present in today’s society.

First, I’ll discuss the essay. It’s easiest to describe this essay if I

begin by defining “The Cult of True Womanhood.” As I stated the introduction, it

is a set of standards. These principles create and have created a strong

division between the genders, and therefore, caused tension. Basically, it

states that men are to work and make money for the family. A woman’s goal was to

find a husband and have children. Women were also expected to have four main

cardinal virtues – piety, purity, submissiveness, and domestication. Piety is,

basically, grace. Women were to expected to always be dainty and lovely. Purity

speaks for itself. Women were expected to stay abstinent until marriage.

Submissiveness means that the woman should, once married to a man, completely

devote herself to him, carrying out his every wish within her power. One very

powerful sentence in the essay well represents the woman’s goals and values well

according to “The Cult of True Womanhood.” It states, “Marriage improves the

female character, not only because it puts her in the best possible tuition,

that of the affections, and affords scope to her active energies, but because it

gives her higher aims, and a more dignified position.” In my opinion, this means

that marriage improves a woman’s mindset, gives her direction, and gives her

more motivation to do her daily chores. If you take this and attempt to apply it

to the current society, you’ll find that it is extremely wrong, but not quite

completely. The last virtue, domesticity, means that a woman is to be a

housewife, to stay at home. This is my explanation of the essay, “The Cult of

True Womanhood.”

The Cult has effected today’s society greatly. We are currently battling

many gender issues that were initiated by these standards. The primary issue is

gender discrimination. For instance, a woman may not be hired by a construction

company because the owner believes that it’s “man’s work.” Another issue

concerning work is wages. Many women have avoided being rejected for a job

position. However, some then notice that a man doing the same work for the same

company is getting up to 35 percent more wages. One point I’d like to bring up

also is politics. In the past, women have stayed out of office due to the Cult.

Now, some women are accusing the government of sexism. However, I don’t believe

that this is why women aren’t in office. Look how many women are running for

president or governor this year. Most people base their votes on the potential

of the candidates. I know I will. These are some effects the Cult has had on

today’s society.

The “Cult of True Womanhood” has been a strong influence on America’s

history. We may not a agree with it, but it definitely exists, and we must deal

with it.