The concept describes a nineteenth-century ideology that delineated distinct roles for men and women in society. Men were typically assigned the public sphere, encompassing work, politics, and economic endeavors. Women were relegated to the private sphere, focusing on domestic duties, child-rearing, and maintaining a moral home environment. An example of this can be seen in the idealization of the middle-class Victorian home, where the wife’s virtue and domestic skills were seen as crucial to the family’s success, in contrast to her husband’s professional accomplishments.
This doctrine profoundly shaped social expectations and limited opportunities for women. It reinforced gender inequalities by restricting women’s access to education, employment, and political participation. The idea contributed to the construction of a gendered division of labor and helped to justify discriminatory practices based on sex. Examining this concept is essential to understanding the constraints faced by women and the social structures that upheld patriarchal norms during this period.
