After reading the sources from Webster, Rush, and Jefferson; I would have to call the women's education opportunities severely lacking. Main schooling opportunities were first given to white males since they were property owners and functioning citizens. Everyone else was of less consideration including the women. There was talk of passing bills to educate the women but nothing was taken seriously. Jefferson wanted girls to attend school for free in his General Diffusion Bill (Frazier 21), but he also seldom considered women in his view of citizenship (Frazier 17). Rush wanted to fully educate woman in his plan known as "Republican Motherhood" (Frazier 18.) He saw that educating women would prepare them for in turn educating their sons for future citizenship and taking an active part in the husband's entertainment (Frazier 25).
From a woman's standpoint, not all accepted the unfair culture. They wanted fair opportunity and wanted a chance to learn for themselves. This time period saw it's share of early American feminism. Individuals such as Abigail Adams, Judith Sargent Murray, and Mercy Warren spoke out their opinions (Urban 76). They questioned the educational standards at the time and the male gender role as being the only available to for advanced education. However, I imagine some wives and women were just as happy not being educated. Some probably saw it as their traditional role and duty to the household to stay behind as men were schooled.
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