This week we learned that the Second Great Awakening and separately the Industrial Revolution opened opportunities for women to become more active outside of the home. Their activities outside of the home were still attached to roles specifically assigned to women. This period is a stepping stone for how women continue to expand their roles from this point forward. Due to the Second Great Awakening women were now expected to be morally superior and to be the moral compass for their homes, communities and for larger society. 

PROMPT

Yes, the reading on the solitary vice is about masturbation.  For this discussion, discuss why this document is relevant to women’s new moral responsibility and what we can learn about sexual norms during this period.  Here are some guiding questions: 

Why were women warning mother’s about this? It’s not men warning fathers or women warning parents. 

What does this tell us about women’s sexuality during that period? 

Do you think that there is any relevance to sexual norms in America today? 

Part 1

Post a response to the prompt above. Once you have posted your initial response you will be able to view your classmate’s responses. Your initial post is due by Thursday at 11:59pm. 

Part 2

Respond to at least two of your classmate’s post. This part is due by Sunday at 11:59pm.

For this week’s reading material, it was clear that mothers were concerned about keeping their children pure – in a sense that they were discouraging them from masturbating. There were various reasons behind why they had made this forbidden. It was clearly mentioned that