Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Research Paper
Department
Whittier Scholars Program
First Advisor
Richard Archer
Second Advisor
Anne Kiley
Abstract
Historians of nineteenth century gender have based a great portion of their studies on the assumption of the historical accuracy of ideologies such as separate spheres, the cult of true womanhood and the self made man. Yet many of these ideas may not be complex enough theories with which to analyze gendered behavior in the nineteenth century. This must, then, cause us to view our standard gender histories with skepticism. It does not mean we should discard old interpretations, but that we must use them only as guides with give a vague shape to past gender relations. Perhaps we do need to re-evaluate scholarship of the nineteenth century gender to create new models. In the meantime, however, we should use extant models with caution. A modification in our usage of these ideas, adding more qualification and examination rather than applying them as absolutely true should yield, in the end, a bigger and better picture of the gender interactions in the nineteenth century.
Recommended Citation
Balzer, M. J. (1997). Intimate Ties in a "Disorderly" World: The Pillsbury Family and Gender Relations, 1850-1860. Retrieved from https://poetcommons.whittier.edu/scholars/78