Early in the 20th century, social mores, cultural beliefs, and the state of the economy greatly impacted expectations for women, especially in Western countries like the US and Europe. What wives were supposed to do in public during this time was primarily as follows:
1. Follow Social Etiquette and Decorum Manners and Behavior: It was expected of wives to talk respectfully, act modestly and with grace, and to have elegant manners. Generally speaking, public demonstrations of affection, loud conversation, or boisterous behavior were frowned upon.
Dress Code: Wives in particular were supposed to dress modestly and stylishly for the period. When out in public, this frequently meant donning lengthy gowns, corsets, and hats.
Keep Up Domestic Roles
The main responsibility of a wife was considered to be running the home, which included cooking, cleaning, and childrearing. Buying groceries and other household items was something she frequently did in public.
Supportive Wife: It was required of wives to maintain their husbands’ social standing by attending social events with them, acting as gracious hosts or courteous companions.
3. Engage in Social and Civic Life
Wives frequently went to social activities such tea parties, church services, and neighborhood get-togethers. Socializing and strengthening of social ties were possibilities presented by these gettogethers.
Charitable Work: A large number of women took part in charitable endeavors, lending a hand to neighborhood concerns. Their nurturing function was observed to be extended by this.
Observe Gender Roles and Expectations
Wives were expected to be very obedient to their husbands. This was evident in public encounters when a wife was supposed to submit to her husband’s authority and views.
Good reputation management was essential. Wives had to exercise caution in not doing anything that would be interpreted as scandalous or embarrassing to their family.
5. Particularities of Culture and Region
Urban vs. Rural Variations: Expectations could differ in urban and rural locations. While in rural places pragmatism and community involvement may be more stressed, in cities social appearances and fashion may take center stage.
Ethnic and Socioeconomic Affects: Wives in various ethnic and socioeconomic groups were expected to play different roles. For instance, communities of immigrants frequently kept their own customs and family roles.
Public Participation and the Suffrage Movement
New Public Positions: Women’s suffrage movement grew, and by the later part of the early 1900s, women’s roles were starting to change. Wives started to take on more and more public advocacy for women’s rights and social reforms.
Education and Employment: As more women started going to college and working, they were able to question conventional norms and gradually alter public image.
7. Need to Exhibit Family Values
Wives were supposed to present themselves in public as loving mothers and carers, frequently emphasizing the importance of family values and home happiness.
Marriage as collaboration: Although traditional gender roles were stressed, a visible collaboration in marriage was also expected, in which the wife backed her husband’s public activities.
Important Illustrations
In public, women wear long gowns, corsets, and caps; they stroll quietly and avoid attracting undue attention.
Community Services: Wives present their families as model units by planning and taking part in community events.
Supporting Spouses: Going to public events with their spouses, frequently trailing a step behind to show their support.
Visual Representation: Think about sequences from early 1900s-set films or television series like Little Women or Downton Abbey, which frequently highlight these expectations and societal conventions for spouses.
Knowing these social conventions helps one understand how much, in response to larger shifts in gender roles and society structures, wives’ expectations and roles have changed during the last century.