Republican Motherhood
Definition
Republican Motherhood is an 18th-century term for an attitude toward women's roles present in the emerging United States before, during, and after the American Revolution. It centered around the belief that women should raise their sons to uphold ideals of republicanism, making them perfect citizens.
Analogy
Consider Republican Motherhood like being a coach for a sports team. Just like how coaches train athletes to play their best game and follow rules strictly; mothers were expected to educate their children about civic virtue and responsibilities so they could be good citizens.
Related terms
Civic Virtue: The cultivation of habits important for the success of community services such as public participation in politics.
American Revolution: The war fought from 1775-1783 through which 13 British colonies won political independence to become the United States.
Cult of Domesticity: A prevailing value system among the upper and middle classes during the 19th Century in the United States and Great Britain which emphasized new standards for womanhood.
"Republican Motherhood" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (3)
What was the ideology of Republican Motherhood?
How did the principles of Republican motherhood persist or transform regarding their influence on African American women during the Early Republic period?
How did the concept of "Republican Motherhood" indirectly influence African American women's roles during the early republic era?
Resources
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