Do We Still Need Feminism?
12th Grade elective
Homework assignments are in bold.
IV. “Bringin’ Home the Bacon”: Work
A. Men’s Work and Women’s Work
Assignment 1: (Due 3/4) Read “Women and Wage Earning," pp. 96-100 in the photocopy. ANSWER the following questions in your own words:
- How did the growth of a market economy affect women’s work?
- Define “outwork.” How did it differ from factory work?
- Characterize the Lowell mill girls.
- How did the mill girls and their families view the millwork experience?
5. Was factory work a positive or negative development for young women?
Assignment 2: (Due 3/5) READ in photocopy, pp. 121-125. ANSWER the following in your own words:
- How did women customers challenge separate spheres? How did men deal with this?
- How and why did the legal profession marginalize women in the 19th century?
- Contrast the place of women in the medical profession in the 19th century with the legal profession.
B. Slavery
Assignment 3: (Due 3/7) READ “Plantation Patriarchy” and “Slave Women,” pp. 100-107 in the photocopy. Write a paragraph on
how the slavery system shaped gender roles for black and white women in the south .
C. Current Status of Women in the Workforce
IN CLASS: Current Status of Women in the Workforce. In groups, look at the statistical data on women in the workforce, pp. 126-132. What observations can you make about the following:
- Women’s presence in the workforce
- Jobs women tend to hold
- Women’s salaries
- Gender inequality in the workforce
Compare these findings with those from the National Organization for Women, photocopy p. 133. What similarities and differences are there in the data?
Response Paper 2: (Due 3/14) Using the class readings and discussions so far, write 1-2 pages on the following question: Do you think women have achieved equality in the workplace? Which do you think is more important for women’s status: economic equality or political equality?
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