As gentis patrícias: identidades e imagens femininas na primeira metade do século XX (1920/1940)

Abstract

This article holds a rereading of some works published in the first half of the twentieth century, dedicated and addressed mainly to young Brazilian girls, in an explicit intent to guide their attitudes and standards of conduct in a society that is progressive and enlightened wanted. In these works are highlighted the various female qualities necessary for the care of the home and maternal function, the education needed to meet this goal, as well as some positions as to their inclusion in the public space. Advice, guidance, warnings mix up, all composed to shape an imagery that defined the women identity turned to domesticity and by consequence to the subordinate role that was desired for women in the social hierarchy of the period. The grouping of those works was made by the chronologic criterion because they are sparse and difficult to access.

Mulheres no comando

“…Na primeira metade do século XX, o papel social das mulheres era principalmente manter a união da família e a moral cristã em casa, ou seja, enquanto o espaço público era dominado por homens, as mulheres eram mantidas (e se mantinham) como "rainhas" nos ambientes domésticos (ALMEIDA, 2013). Além disso, as mulheres eram vistas como indivíduos dotados das características católicas de "virgem-mãemulher", como pureza, bondade, generosidade, submissão às regras sociais e falta de liberdade sexual (já que eram consideradas apenas preservadoras raça humana e, portanto, responsáveis pela reprodução da espécie) (ALMEIDA, 2013).…”