What restrictions on American women in the 1800s prevented them from having a role in politics?
1 Answer
Yes they could neither vote nor run for office. There were other forces at work.
Explanation:
Women were often uneducated and even if allowed an education they could be ignored by the teachers. The teachers would concentrate on teaching the male children as only they would have power in society and could make something of themselves.
Women also had limited professions to gain an independent income.
Child care was generally not worth more than room and board. Women's potential jobs of agricultural work, being a servant or a street vendor offered little income. It would be important to have a home, family and be under a man's protection to be somewhat secure from sexual assault or ostracizing from society.
At times of unrest, when families might be split up, many women would be forced into prostitution because no other way allowed them eat and be "secure". All money and power was in the hands of men.
For these reasons women were often voiceless in politics. The presence of sympathetic, powerful, supportive and affluent men were necessary to provide the security and time to allow women to speak openly and to be heard.
