I am just "musing" but here goes. I am an avid reader of history related books. I am currently reading one titled, DIARIES OF WOMEN ON THE WESTWARD JOURNEY". This is mostly diary entires of womens lot in life during the westward immagration ie the Oregon Trail and during the gold rush.
One point that really stuck with me (besides the utter slavery and saddness and terrible lot in life the women had, especially no "choice" in the matter whether to go or not go) is this, these men uprooted their families (many of these women were pregnant with small children, or became pregnant on the journey and their small children died) all in the pursuit of gold or "free land".
The men cared not if this journey literally killed the wives or children, all in the pursuit of gold, or material goods. The women that survived the journey (even if their children did not) often (in disgust at the lack of success these men had in actually finding gold) resorted to "womens work" like doing laundry cooking, running hotels (which were no more than food and a dry piece of ground to sleep on) and other such things (yes some resorted to prostitution, when their "dreamer" husbands got themselves killed) to survive. Many of these women made hundred of times more money doing this meaninless "womans work" than did the gold seeking men. Quite a few women ended up rich (monetarily anyway) from the small tasks like washing and cooking, and became VERY successfull business women, while the gold seeking husbands went broke, died, left them or gave up and went back east.
The women did this while tending seven or more children, caring for sick husbands, pregnant, nursing AND raising MORE children.
Some couples did stay alive and together. Those were the couples that pooled their resources, used their noodles and those that were open to changing and adapting to whatever their circumstances were at the time. Their teamwork, and adaptability became their best tools for survival.
Women had no rights, were thought of as property, and "second class to men". All men have to eat however, and some wanted to be civilized by sometimes having clean clothes. They were willing to pay these women for these necessicities and comforts.
I know there are a multitude of lessons here, as there always are, in our history as men and women on this planet. Seems to me we are going backward, in the evolution of men and women.
These people were too busy trying to survive, to worry about who did what, or who owned what.
Times being what they are financially, seems we could all learn from history.
(Original Air Date: 10/21/05) Money is often cited as the number one reason couples divorce. Dr. Phil talks with moms who say their need for cash is causing major problems. First, Andy and Lynn are newlyweds whose marriage is already falling apart. Lynn says she has to pay for expenses that her waitress salary can't possibly cover, and she has to beg her husband if she needs money. Andy says his wife relies on him for everything and he doesn't think she should get a free ride. Can their marriage withstand the pressure? Then, Alice has invented a product that she thinks will make her millions. But after putting in over $160,000 and turning their house into a factory, her husband has had enough. Does Alice have a great invention or should she just give up? Plus, two moms have a dream of opening up their own boutique, but their husbands say they both need a reality check. Join the discussion.
