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How traditional motherhood and women

independence clashes

Welcome to

Look at the story of Faye Notarealperson:

A Mother of Three and A Well-Educated

Middle Class Lady

This isn’t real! Our magazine

somehow figured out how to do color

printing! More details inside…

April 1st , 1918

Her ordinary life and how she views the

“New Women” and Women Suffrage

movement

“If someone’s willing to love me and

protect me, why would anyone want to

escape? I am more than willing to give

up ‘freedom’ for the life I’m living

right now” – Notarealperson

Next week’s topic:

How the “New Women” challenge women’s

traditional role in society

Retrieved from Plain Humanity

Retrieved from National Women's History Museum

It is the same situation for every middle class woman in this country: Growing up being

educated, meeting a gentlemen, getting married, educating her sons or daughter, watching her children

become successful, being the “’moral guardians’ and protectors of the home”(“Reforming”). This is the

spirit of motherhood that our ancestors have been following since the establishment of the nation. This

spirit, however, is viewed as a “prison” from the perspective of the reformers such as woman suffragists

and the “New Women” ("Women in the Progressive"). Welcome to the Progressive Era: a time period

where any idea can be challenged! In this week’s topic, our magazine takes a deep look into the lives of

middle class women by looking at the story of a mother of three— Faye Notarealperson.

Notarealperson was born in a middle-class family with an older brother. Like many middle class

young ladies, she received education earlier in her life. She then met a fine gentleman and got married.

Faye’s brother became a successful businessperson. Looking at

her brother’s success, she always wondered why she’s not allowed to

work. Instead, she was virtually “locked” in her own house until her

husband came home. Faye isn’t alone in this situation. Ten years ago

when she was still young, most woman workers in society were mainly

“young and single, or widows, divorcees, poor married women”

(“Reforming”). Unable to work, Faye and other women were economically

dependent on their husband.

“I didn’t like that feeling,” she says. “It’s like I have to rely on my

husband to survive. I don’t like to stay in my house all day” She claims

that she used to hallucinate because of the agony not being able to be

free(Gilman).

However, she changed her opinion when her first son was born.

“The feeling was amazing when I gave birth to my first son,”

Notarealperson says. She then became a typical mother. She stayed at

home, didn’t go to work, and focused solely on educating her son. In her

opinion, her son’s education is far more important than she going to work

is and earning independence.

“ I don’t see any problem of my husband not letting me going to work anymore,” she says,

“There might be times that I wanted to go find a job and be independent. But who’s going to take care

of my children?”

Who’s going to take care of the children?

Many men and women have asked the same question in the past. Between independence and taking

care of the family, how should a woman determine which side is more important? Faye was willing to

sacrifice her freedom for the future of her son. Unlike the New Women who value their independence


over traditional value of motherhood, Notarealperson thinks that she has the responsibility to take care

of her children. She no longer complained about not being able to work.

“Although I feel somewhat restricted, I also feel like my husband can protect me,” she says, “If

someone’s willing to love me and protect me, why would anyone want to escape? I am more than

willing to give up ‘freedom’ for the life I am living right now”

Traditional Role of Women in Society Vs. Political Participation

Woman suffragists have been participate

actively in political events, arguing that

women should be granted full rights

since they “supported the war effort in

numerous ways” (“Reforming”). Faye

also has her own view on this issue.

“I certainly think we should get the right

to participate in politics,” she says. She

shares the same idea with many woman

suffragists. They believe that “in order to

protect the home, women should move

into the public sphere…which ultimately

affected the home” (“Reforming”).

“If you look at it from this perspective, then suffrage movement actually doesn’t contradict traditional

value of motherhood.” She says.

New Woman

For readers who don’t know who “New Women” are, they “young, college educated, active in sports,

interested in pursuing a career, and looking for a marriage based on equality”(“Reforming”). They defy

the traditional value of motherhood, thinking it’s more important to

pursue their own career than to start a family ("The Status of Women").

“I can understand what they’re chasing after,” says Notarealperson, “After

all, I used to be like them when I was young.” Recently, the New Women

has upset many men, primarily because they refuse to accept the

traditional role of woman in society, such as washing the dishes and doing

laundry (Jones, Wood, and Ruiz 703).

“This is just the beginning,” says Notarealperson, “as our society progresses, we

will eventually find a balance between the spirit of motherhood and women’s

independence.”

Retrieved from Created Equal


Which one is Abigail Adams

(1859-1947)

"The vote is a power, a

weapon of offense and

defense, a prayer.

Understand what it

means and what it can

do for your country. Use

it intelligently,

conscientiously,

prayerfully."

(1744-1818) “If we mean to have

heroes, statesmen and

philosophers, we

should have learned

women.”

Carrie(C): Vote! Vote! Vote! It is time to throw out the monarchy established by the men.

Abigail(A): I’m not sure if I agree.

In my opinion, women’s most important value is motherhood, not politics.

C: Well….. I don’t think those two ideas contradict each other. Political issues will eventually affect our

families ("Catt, Carrie Chapman").

A: I understand. But then if you spend your effort on politics, Who’s going to educate your children. In

this case, your responsibility as a mother isn’t fulfilled.

C: I think you overvalue the importance of a mother. I don’t doubt that a mother should educate her

children. However, it is a burden that only falls on the both parents, not just the mother.

A: Well then… give me a reason why SHOULD participate in politics.

C: Well do you believe that men and women are equal?

A: I do indeed. But that doesn’t mean we should have the same obligation to fulfill. Although we’re

equal, we’re also difference because of our sex. I believe that men and women should have different

roles in society.

C: I can’t say that I totally agree with you on that, but you made a good point-men and women are equal.

As human, it is also our natural right to be able to vote. Also, I think that if we let women vote, we would

become a “force for world peace and would help improve the conditions of life for themselves and their

children” ("Catt, Carrie Chapman").

A: Yes. I have no problem with the intension behind letting the women vote. However, if you see the

reality, there’s no way you can play the role of both a mother and a politician perfectly at the same time.

When I was alive, women supported their husband and the war effort. We let the men be the politicians

to make decisions. And we support their cause. A woman should be the guardian of the

home(“Reforming”).

C: I have a different view on women’s role in society than you. I don’t view myself as a “New Woman”,

but I certainly believe that women are not the only ones who are responsible for the well-being the

family ("Women's Suffrage in the Progressive"). Both the husband and the wife are responsible. I know

how important the value of motherhood is. However, what about “fatherhood”? If men cannot secure

the well-being of a family, how can we expect them to protect a nation?

A: Speaking of protecting the nation, I want to remind you that men and women have different role in

society. During the Independence War, it was the men who were protecting the nation.

C: Well… If you look at World War One (which you probably cannot because you were dead), although

men are fighting in the frontiers, women were also support war effort by stimulating war industry(Jones

677).

Men’s racquet in stock!!!

Women’s racquet… wait a second… there’s no such thing!

Ad. Wilson Blade 98 BLX for sale!!!!

LD Debate Ballot OHSSL District Tournament

Round 1 Judge: Michael Kane Debaters: Abigail Adams vs Carrie Catt

Affirmitive Side: Carrie Catt Negative side: Abigail Adams

Affirmitive(Carrie) Negative(Abigail)

Aff. Consturctive speech:

Doesn’t make sense at all!!!

Why would a woman deny her own

responsibility!

I also feel like you’re one of those

“New Women” who value personal

pleassure over your obligation("The

Status of Women").

Neg. Cross examination:

It makes perfect sense. Good flow

through the round. Provided strong

support for your value and

contentions. Good arguments. Women

should take their responsibilities

serously.

Aff. Cross Examination:

You still stick with your idea that

women suffrage can provide good

outcome to society. However, you fail

to adress to clash between

participating in politics and the

value of motherhood. Your opponent

attacked on this argument really well.

Neg. Conclusion:

You end really well. Nice conclusion.

Although we are equal, we have

different role in society. Women

cannot deny that their role is to

support the family.

Reason for decision:

Abigail did a really good job on explaining the role of women in soceity.

Carrie was just challenging this idea but she couldn’t offer any support on

why women don’t have the responsibilities to run the family. Abigail won

this round.

Judge should assign ponts to the debators

Affirmitive(Carrie) points: 3 Negative(Abigail) ponts: 30

The better debating was done by: Abigail Adams

Judge Signature: MyCocaine

Note: Carrie Catt was the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She believed that voting is one of the natural rights that belong to women. She was thought that women should be “politcally equal to men”("Catt, Carrie Chapman.") She was a brilliant leaderof the Woman Suffrage movement. Under her leadership, the 19th Amendment of the Constitution was passed in 1920, which gave women the right to vote("Women in the Progressive"). Carrie Chapman Catt’s actual tombstone is at Woodlawn Cemetery, NY.

Documents

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