Cult of Domesticity

The Cult of Domesticity was a social attitude in the 19th century that idealized women’s roles as homemakers and caregivers. It emphasized virtues like purity, piety, and submission, viewing women primarily as nurturers who maintained moral virtue within the family. This belief reinforced the notion that women’s influence should be confined to the home, limiting their participation in public life and professional work. While it reinforced gender roles, it also contributed to the societal expectation that women’s identity and value were centered around domestic responsibilities.