Blog #5: Republican Motherhood

Republican Motherhood

1.) The revolutionary war was the turning point for women from Housewifery to Republican n Motherhood. As the new nation was to be by the people, it became extremely important that the next generations of the people be raised with values and morals consistent with those of the Nation. Thus, thinker of the time began to recognized the value of mothers in educating their sons (who would be the next generation of republican leaders) and so the idea of Republican Motherhood was born.

2.) The ideal of republican motherhood allowed women to gain access to more educational opportunities, However these were often limited to subjects that they would need to properly install democratic values into their sons. Additionally, the concept further solidified Early American society's belief that women belonged in the home caring for the children.

3.) This idea of Republican Motherhood is significant towards women gaining equal status centuries later because it was one of the first instances where women were given any reason by male society to study and learn more than just simple academics, and it placed women in a very important position: that of raising the next generation  of political leaders.

1.) The woman (Mary Gibson Tilghman) is sitting on a couch, indoors with her two sons. 

2.) Mary is very clearly the center of the piece, and she represents a republican style rather than an aristocratic, as she is dressed very simply, wears no wig, and is actively interacting with her children.

3.) The younger son on her lap appears more uncultured and childish, whilst the older boy seems to already be very adult, respectable, and cultured.

4.) Gibson Tilghman is restraining her more vulgar son with her arm, reflecting her role as a moral teacher for her children, and thus the next generation of leaders.

(This clear segregation between the roles of men and women reminded me of the similar social structure of many native American tribes, with women working the fields and caring for the children, and men hunting.)