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What was life like for an 18-year-old named Aunt Fannie in 1896?

In 1896, an 18-year-old named Aunt Fannie would likely have lived in a society that strictly followed Victorian gender norms, where women were expected to focus on domestic duties rather than pursue formal education or careers.

The concept of "homemaking" as more than just cooking and cleaning began to gain traction in this era, coinciding with the rise of women’s rights movements, which Aunt Fannie would have been influenced by as a key reformer.

Basic household appliances were just beginning to emerge.

For instance, the electric iron was patented in 1882, but most homes still used cast-iron irons heated on a stove.

The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 began to change communication.

In 1896, the technology was still new and not widely adopted, leaving many families reliant on letters and face-to-face visits.

Many American girls at the time, including Fannie, were educated primarily in “female seminaries,” which focused on domestic skills, teaching them how to be a proper wife and mother rather than providing a traditional academic education.

Fannie Farmer’s cookbook, published in 1896, introduced standardized measuring cups and spoons, revolutionizing cooking by providing precise recipes, which changed how food was prepared at home.

The average life expectancy was much lower in 1896; women in the United States typically lived to around 48 years, impacting family dynamics and societal roles significantly.

In the realm of fashion, dresses typically featured corsets, which shaped a woman's silhouette and were often uncomfortably tight, demonstrating the social pressures of femininity during this period.

The suffragist movement was gaining strength, and many young women like Aunt Fannie were likely becoming increasingly aware of their lack of voting rights and the broader social reform issues of the day, including abolition and temperance.

Transportation in 1896 was rapidly evolving; automobiles were now becoming affordable, with the Ford Motor Company being founded only a year later in 1903, raising questions about gender roles in driving and social mobility.

The ideas surrounding health and nutrition were changing, influenced by the likes of health reformers who promoted whole foods and vegetarian diets, challenging the heavy, meat-centric diets of the time.

The establishment of the Electric Age was underway, leading to new inventions and conveniences in the workplace and household, although most homes had limited access to electricity in 1896.

Despite the advancements, child labor was still commonplace, with many young girls working in factories or as domestic servants, reflecting stark inequalities related to class and gender.

The rise of mass media, particularly in the form of newspapers and magazines, began to shape public opinion and social norms, providing a platform for women's voices and contributing to the zeitgeist of social change.

The social structure of the time often depended on class; upper-class women like Fannie Farmer had different opportunities compared to working-class women, influencing their level of education and engagement in social reforms.

In the realm of science, there was burgeoning interest in hygiene and public health, with an increasing understanding of germ theory, which impacted household practices and food preparation.

Literature played a significant role in raising awareness of social issues, and Fannie was likely influenced by the writings of contemporaries engaged in the women’s rights and abolitionist movements.

Public schooling was expanding, but many states still did not provide full education to girls, limiting their opportunities and reinforcing traditional gender roles.

The establishment of Women’s Clubs began in the late 19th century, which provided a space for women to discuss literature, social issues, and engage in community service, representing an early form of women's networking.

The emotional and mental health of women was poorly understood during this period; conditions such as depression were often unacknowledged or attributed to a woman's character, reflecting broader societal misconceptions about female experiences.

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