Running head: WOMEN OF THE ANTEBELLUM REFORM MOVEMENT 1
Women of the Antebellum Reform Movement:
Emma Willard’s Proposed Female Education Plan
First Name Last Name
Wor-Wic Community College
World Civilizations 151
Mr. Daniel Pavese
April 8, 2021
, WOMEN OF THE ANTEBELLUM REFORM MOVEMENT 2
Review
In 1819, Emma Willard decided to set forth and write an outline which she would later
share with New York Legislature regarding the education of young women. She suggests that
women have been subject to a level of “perfection” however, education suggests that perfection
is only what is deemed by God. Willard discusses the main idea that to ensure that the future
generation has good morals and character, education should be targeted towards women to allow
for the successful upbringing of mothers who will be able to teach their children to act in this
respectable manner. To obtain this goal, she believes that women should attend public seminaries
that consists of many different parts involved in the overall teachings of these individuals
including religious studies and practices, knowledge of literature and writing including natural
philosophy and sciences, homelife and mothering, and artistic activities which will allow for
improved social skills. When Willard discusses women learning of domestic practices she
claims, “It is the duty of our sex to regulate the internal concerns of every family; and unless
they be properly qualified to discharge this duty, whatever may be their literacy or ornamental
attainments, they cannot be expected to make either good wives, good mothers, or good
mistresses of families: and if they are none of these, they must be bad members of society; for it
is by promoting or destroying the comfort and prosperity of their own families, that females
serve or injure the community” (Willard, 1819, p. 6). Finally, Willard concludes how these
seminaries will prove advantageous to the country due to the amount of order and instruction that
these women are exposed to allowing for many people to flourish.
Analysis
Emma Willard’s plan while meticulous and well thought out, does not seem to be
accurately supported and can be easily challenged due to a lack of evidence. Her objective and
Women of the Antebellum Reform Movement:
Emma Willard’s Proposed Female Education Plan
First Name Last Name
Wor-Wic Community College
World Civilizations 151
Mr. Daniel Pavese
April 8, 2021
, WOMEN OF THE ANTEBELLUM REFORM MOVEMENT 2
Review
In 1819, Emma Willard decided to set forth and write an outline which she would later
share with New York Legislature regarding the education of young women. She suggests that
women have been subject to a level of “perfection” however, education suggests that perfection
is only what is deemed by God. Willard discusses the main idea that to ensure that the future
generation has good morals and character, education should be targeted towards women to allow
for the successful upbringing of mothers who will be able to teach their children to act in this
respectable manner. To obtain this goal, she believes that women should attend public seminaries
that consists of many different parts involved in the overall teachings of these individuals
including religious studies and practices, knowledge of literature and writing including natural
philosophy and sciences, homelife and mothering, and artistic activities which will allow for
improved social skills. When Willard discusses women learning of domestic practices she
claims, “It is the duty of our sex to regulate the internal concerns of every family; and unless
they be properly qualified to discharge this duty, whatever may be their literacy or ornamental
attainments, they cannot be expected to make either good wives, good mothers, or good
mistresses of families: and if they are none of these, they must be bad members of society; for it
is by promoting or destroying the comfort and prosperity of their own families, that females
serve or injure the community” (Willard, 1819, p. 6). Finally, Willard concludes how these
seminaries will prove advantageous to the country due to the amount of order and instruction that
these women are exposed to allowing for many people to flourish.
Analysis
Emma Willard’s plan while meticulous and well thought out, does not seem to be
accurately supported and can be easily challenged due to a lack of evidence. Her objective and
