Lifestyle of the wealthy
Wealthy white women in the antebellum south had many more luxuries and opportunities that the poor did not have, such as education and attending events and gatherings for the elite.
Education
Women who were born into wealthy families received an education.
-Young girls received the same basic studies as boys, but fathers believed that only boys should focus on their studies. "Rarely did girls get the kind of classical education in philosophy, history, and the sciences that their male counterparts received. ( "Upper-Class Female Education in the Antebellum South")
-Girls would often have private tutors who taught them sewing, drawing, and music. For example, Elizabeth Randolph had a schedule packed with music, drawing and sewing lessons from her private tutor.
-This basic education was expected for the wealthy women of the antebellum south. For example, the daughter of politician Stephen Decatur Miller, Mary Boykin Chesnut, learned how to read and write when she was nine and was sent to a boarding school with other daughters of wealthy men at the age of twelve.
-Southern belles would stay in school until their mid-teens.
-The purpose for this education was to train and prepare the women for their responsibilities as a housewife later in their lives.
-Young girls received the same basic studies as boys, but fathers believed that only boys should focus on their studies. "Rarely did girls get the kind of classical education in philosophy, history, and the sciences that their male counterparts received. ( "Upper-Class Female Education in the Antebellum South")
-Girls would often have private tutors who taught them sewing, drawing, and music. For example, Elizabeth Randolph had a schedule packed with music, drawing and sewing lessons from her private tutor.
-This basic education was expected for the wealthy women of the antebellum south. For example, the daughter of politician Stephen Decatur Miller, Mary Boykin Chesnut, learned how to read and write when she was nine and was sent to a boarding school with other daughters of wealthy men at the age of twelve.
-Southern belles would stay in school until their mid-teens.
-The purpose for this education was to train and prepare the women for their responsibilities as a housewife later in their lives.
Gatherings and Events
Before wealthy women were married, they were suppose to attend social events for the elite such as cotillion balls, and county fairs.
-This time before marriage when the lady would socialize was known as "flying around"
-Women were expected to act with grace and charm to maintain her honor and class, to prove her place in society.
-if any inappropriate actions were seen in public, it could ruin a lady's reputation in the society, as well as her father's reputation
-Southern belles were suppose to have proper etiquette in public, such as removing their gloves as soon as they were seated, and not looking at anyone for a long period of time
-This time before marriage when the lady would socialize was known as "flying around"
-Women were expected to act with grace and charm to maintain her honor and class, to prove her place in society.
-if any inappropriate actions were seen in public, it could ruin a lady's reputation in the society, as well as her father's reputation
-Southern belles were suppose to have proper etiquette in public, such as removing their gloves as soon as they were seated, and not looking at anyone for a long period of time
With opportunities such as education and parties and balls, wealthy women of the south lived an easier, more luxurious life than the poor white women of the south did. Southern belles were taught proper etiquette and basic education in order to help their husbands run plantations when they are grown and have moved out to live with their husbands. "This routine of music lessons, drawing, and other instruction expected of an antebellum housewife was a standard fare for wealthy girls in the process of receiving their training ("Upper-Class Female Education in the Antebellum South"). Wealthy women are also taught the importance of being graceful, charming, and pleasant in public. "A daughter's actions directly affected the status of the father. For this reason men educated their daughters on how to act in society" (Ellington). How a lady acted in public reflected on her status and her family's status as well, so it was important to act gracefully in order to protect the family honor. Because wealthy white women of the south were expected to become proper housewives once they married, they needed to have a basic education and social skills in order to fulfill this expectation.