"While men and women could experience the same neurasthenic symptoms, the different treatments they received reflected cultural stereotypes of the day. The Rest Cure ensured that women remained in their “proper” sphere: the home. Mitchell and his medical peers discouraged female patients from writing, excessive studying or any attempt to enter the professions. Mitchell told Gilman, who underwent the Rest Cure in 1887 during a bout of postpartum depression, to “live as domestic a life as possible” and “never to touch pen, brush or pencil again.” "
However, something that is making me wonder is if these women, who lived in such an environment would have benefited from 'West therapy' like men in those days. I am not sure of this nowadays as well. I am not saying that this reflects on women as a sex, but simply the fact that gender roles are still relatively strong to this day and women who have been raised into them would dislike the kind of stuff a cowboy would have to do. Although this is only a rough guess and feel free to prove me wrong Overall, the article is very interesting and is worth taking a look at.
What stuff exactly are you saying women nowadays wouldn't enjoy? Being outdoors, being social, physically active? I think most women thoroughly enjoy these things, hence the number of girls who practice horseback riding... I think they would have benefited from anything a male would benefit from, frankly. I do hope you're not suggesting that what was prescribed to women did them any good.
ReplyDeleteThe article did make me think of the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper". An amazing insight into how boredom, mixed with mental disturbance, and oppression can drive a person, quite literally, mad.
Oh I never once thought that this rest therapy stuff was any good! I in fact think it was a monstrous idea that did more harm then help. What I am saying is that nowadays there certainly would be more women to enjoy and benefit from this kind of therapy then back then, but there would still be a good amount of women who would not want to do this due to perceived ideas of gender roles and how they were brought up. The "Weste Therapy" I would imgaine still holds this 'masculine' idea behind it and I think it still might make a few women uneasy.
ReplyDeleteIt's also entirely possible that 19th century women would have benefited enormously from the ability to spend time outdoors, learn to ride a horse, and how to handle a herd of cattle. Perhaps it would have given them greater confidence in their abilities and a greater sense of control over their lives.
ReplyDeleteGender roles have changed considerably since the 19th century; so many women today passionately enjoy camping, horseback riding, etc., so I'm assuming that's not the point you're arguing.