Role of Women in the American West
In the 1800s, women were expected to stay in the “women’s sphere” of society, caring for home and family under the protection of husbands and fathers. The balance of power changed as families moved west, and women expanded their roles.
1 In Business
Some banks in the West preferred offering loans to woman to start businesses, because they were more reliable than men.
2 Educators
Because of the need for teachers, Western women were allowed to attend universities; many of them went on to become school administrators and serve on state boards of education. They were also instrumental in helping run missions, churches and schools for Native Americans.
3 Property Owners
Western women were encouraged to hold property in their own name, so families could increase their family’s holdings. This led to some women running ranches and farms by themselves, including supervising male employees.
4 Professionals
The demand for professionals led to people in the West to accept women as doctors, lawyers and business owners much sooner than people in the Eastern United States.
5 The Negative Side
The negative side of women’s lives in the West was drudgery and loneliness. Because of the shortage of labor, women often had to do farm work in addition to housework and caring for children.
Related Articles
