Welter, Barbara. 1966. "The Cult of True Womanhood: 1820-1860". American Quarterly. 18, no. 2: 151-174.
http:/www.jstor.org/stable/2711179
Argument
Welter examines women's magazines from the period to explain what "True Womanhood" meant in America from 1820-1860
"The attributes of True Womanhood, by which a woman judged herself
and was judged by her husband, her neighbors and society could be
divided into four cardinal virtues-piety, purity, submissiveness and domesticity." (152)
Piety
Woman were naturally religious, thus piety implied true womanhood
Purity
Men would try to assault their purity. Women had to resist.
Submissiveness
Remain occupied with domestic affairs unless otherwise directed.
Domesticity
Proper sphere
Useful as wife, mother.
Connection
Connects to the older "problem that has no name" which Friedan speaks of.
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