LAD #5: Republican Motherhood

 

Questions about the documents:

1. What role did the Revolutionary War play in the transformation of housewifery to Republican Motherhood?

In Post Revolutionary War America, transformed the role of housewives to include teaching their children to be good patriotic citizens. Women taught their children to follow religion and enlightened human reason. The immense land that Americans now possessed caused women to also take on the role of guarding the home and property. Women's jobs then entailed making the separation from Britain easy and peaceful, as well as, lessening the amount of crime and corruptions that occur in the newly independent states. Additionally, women's roles extended beyond the domestic circle. Women were expected to partake in social life by elevating the moods of others, and cheer them up.  During the turmoil that occurred after the Revolutionary War women were the one's who kept the peace in the country.

2. What were the consequences of Republican Motherhood on women?

Since mothers in this time were expected to teach their children the republican ideals, the education of women became much more important and widespread. Women's education at the time included knowing the English language, being able to write legibly, having enough knowledge of numbers to be able to bookkeep, know some geography and history. Women's new access to knowledge and education gave them new opportunities and a way to live independently or at least gain more rights in everyday life. 

3. What is the significance of the ideology of Republican Motherhood as a stage in the process of women’s socialization?

As the role of women began to be seen as more important and women gained more rights as a whole, they were able to obtain opportunities that they previously never even dreamed of and society began to view women as more important. Additionally, as this occurred gender roles began to become much more equal, although they were still far apart.


Mary Gibson Tilgham and Sons Portrait



Questions about the Picture:

1. Describe the setting.

The setting of the painting is a seemingly modest home, in which the subjects, presumably a mother who is sat in the center and surrounded by her two sons, are sat on a couch.

2. Who serves at the center of the portrait and why?  How does the woman look?  How is she “republican” rather than aristocratic?

The mother, Mary Gibson Tilgham, is at the center of the portrait, which portrays her central influence to the lives of her two sons. In the time of republican motherhood, women were charged with the task of teaching their children how to be successful and patriotic citizens of America. The women's posture and slight smile hint at her proud character. And Mrs. Tilgham's moderate dress and hair indicate her republican standing rather than the opulent dresses worn by aristocratic women at that time.

3. What values do her sons exhibit?

Both of her sons' faces hold joyous expressions that maybe attributed to their innocence. Additionally, much like their mother, the two boys both wear more modest attire and their postures portray their modestly proud standings.

4. Is there a significance to the position of Mrs. Tilgham’s arm?

Mrs. Tigham's arm is wrapped protectively around the younger son, which sits on her lap. It conveys the increasing role mothers played in their children's lives. Additionally, her arm serves as a barrier between the two children as they learn to respect others and avoid conflicts.


The Migrant Mother

This famous image of Florence Owens Thompson and her three young children, just like Mary Gibson Tilgham, reflects a generation of women. Mrs. Tilgham's portrait with her two young children mirrors the image of many other republican mothers in the time following the American Revolution. The migrant mother, however, is a photograph representative of the poverty that inflicted Americans during the 1930's. Florence Owens Thompson's photograph reflects a darker side of motherhood as mothers during the great depression had to struggle to survive.