In the mid 1800s, life was changing for the average housewife. For many during the civil war, her husband would leave home to fight and never return. Circumstances such as the war and the already high mortality rate led to many women becoming widows before their time. In some instances this could actually be a positive thing for some women, for rather than having to answer to a male authoritative figure such as a father or a husband- the North American widow was allowed a bit more freedom. After the civil war there was a noteable increase in the occurrence of 'spinsters' and childless marriages as a result... as well as fewer children. More widows began to enter the labor force, as well as having more leisure time for reading and writing activities without having to worry about carrying for a household.
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In the mid 1800s, life was changing for the average housewife. For many during the civil war, her husband would leave home to fight and never return. Circumstances such as the war and the already high mortality rate led to many women becoming widows before their time. In some instances this could actually be a positive thing for some women, for rather than having to answer to a male authoritative figure such as a father or a husband- the North American widow was allowed a bit more freedom. After the civil war there was a noteable increase in the occurrence of 'spinsters' and childless marriages as a result... as well as fewer children. More widows began to enter the labor force, as well as having more leisure time for reading and writing activities without having to worry about carrying for a household.
--Rachel Robles
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