French Revolution Social Norms

Women participated in nearly every possible social aspect of the French Revolution, but their participation always proved to be controversial. Until the present, the social norm for women was to stay at home, create a positive environment, cook, clean, and care for children. The French Revolution was one of the first times in history that women tried to create a different and more beneficial role for themselves in society. By attempting to participate in political and social events that women previously could not attend, they sparked a flame that later allowed them to have rights. (Coffin 2011) The French Revolution changed many social norms in France, like the status of slaves and Jews, however, changed for women during this time. Men were active citizens, meaning they had political influence. Calvinists, Jews, slaves (up to a certain point), and women were passive citizens, meaning they had no property or voting rights. Women were meant to stay home with the children and create a positive private sphere; they were “too fragile” for political discussions. “Women were not considered a persecuted group in the same way as slaves, Calvinists, or Jews,” (Hunt 1990) and because of this, social change did not …show more content…
Men were outraged that women, “[acted] contrary to all the laws of nature for a woman to want to make herself a man.” This group of women also repeatedly petitioned the National Convention. All this uneasiness ended sadly: the denunciation of women’s political activism. It came in the form of a speech. A speech presented by a man who denounced slavery, yet does not approve of women’s equality among men. In November of 1793, it was decreed that “the clubs and popular societies of women, under whatever denomination, are