Women's rights

Woman who worked

Read and choose the wight answer for the questions:

Very few occupations were available to women in the 19th century. When a woman was married, her husband had legal rights over her. Women were not allowed to own property. Women were supposed to take care of all the domestic duties.

They were expected to be wives that took care of the home and nothing more. Women were denied jobs and denied rights. But, a few women did work during this time. Most women who worked found jobs as seamstresses or teachers.

Sewing and teaching were seen as appropriate professions for women. Most women knew how to sew since it was taught at a young age. Being a seamstress could be done at home. Some women also worked in factories with other seamstresses. The seamstress made dresses for women or men’s shirts. Often, the pay was very low, but a seamstress could make her own living.

Multiple Choice

1. What happened when a woman got married in the 19th century?

• She had more rights than her husband.

• Her husband had legal rights over her.

• She could vote in elections.

• She became a teacher automatically.

Multiple Choice

2. What were women expected to do in the 19th century?

• Work in factories.

• Take care of the home and family.

• Be soldiers.

• Own property.

Multiple Choice

3. What jobs did most women have if they worked?

• Seamstresses or teachers.

• Lawyers and doctors.

• Farmers and politicians.

• Shop owners.

Multiple Choice

4. Why was sewing seen as an appropriate job for women?

• It was very easy.

• It was taught at a young age.

• Men did not like sewing.

• It paid a lot of money.

Multiple Choice

5. How was the pay for seamstresses?

• Very high

• Fair

• Very low

• The same as men’s pay