Reflective Essay: Women's Mental Health in Pre-Civil War Asylums

This reflective essay examines the historical context of women placed in mental asylums during the pre-Civil War period (1777-1860). It explores the societal constraints, lack of rights, and the impact on women's mental health. The essay discusses the historical facts, changes in understanding, beliefs, and values after learning about this period, and considers the author's life chances if born in that era. Women faced significant oppression and were often denied basic rights, leading to mental health issues and institutionalization. The essay highlights the importance of equal rights and challenges the historical treatment of women. The author reflects on the impact of this knowledge on their own beliefs and emphasizes the importance of respecting women and ensuring they are treated with dignity. The essay concludes by acknowledging the continued challenges faced by women in the 20th century and the potential difficulties of surviving in the historical context.

reflective essay on women
placed in Asylums pre-civil
war period 1777-1860

Table of Contents
TASK...............................................................................................................................................1
1. Historical facts of events in American History............................................................................1
2. Changes in understanding, beliefs and values after learning about events in American History 1
3. Life chances of self, if born in American History era..................................................................2
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

TASK
1. Historical facts of events in American History
The pre civil war period of 1777-1860 was a historic event to remember. Women were
placed in mental asylums because of lack of their acceptance in the male society. They did not
have any rights in this male dominant era, which was specifically during the 19th century
(Rothman, 2017). Women who were writers and authors experienced many difficulties when
getting their books published. There was immense opposition that they had to tolerate at every
stage of their life and they were oppressed, which led to illness of their mental health. Even
though women were given equal rights, most of them were not permitted to become doctors until
1847. They were scrutinized on their looks and had to stay groomed at all times. These events
caused numerous women to get admitted in mental asylums in the mid 19th century (Women and
Madness in the 19th Century, 2013). They were expected to be dutiful wives that complied to
everything that males demanded and were not given rights to vote. Overall, being a woman
during this era was equivalent to being a prisoner in a jail.
2. Changes in understanding, beliefs and values after learning about events in
American History
In this century, an individual respects and understands everyone that they meet and know.
It is important to support people about their choices in life and each one has been given the
privilege to various rights that allow them to study, work and be treated equally, regardless of
gender, age, race, language or religion (Chesler, 2018). As a student that has learned about
American history and the way women of the 19th century were treated, my beliefs and
understanding have changed. Prior to this knowledge, I did not give much emphasis towards how
I or others around me treated females. I used to joke around about women, that there is no need
for them to study and earn, as their job revolves around cooking and taking care of family. Even
though I was not serious about these statements and treat everyone with equality, it is now only
that I realize that I should not have made such comments. I have learned that women must not be
oppressed or treated with inequality as this can severely affect their mental health and I will
ensure that I respect them with the dignity that they deserve.
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3. Life chances of self, if born in American History era
If I were born during 1777-1860, there would have been many life chances that I might
have experienced. I like to express my thoughts and opinions about matters that happen in the
world as I believe that every individual has rights to freedom and equality. During that era, I
would have lived an unhappy life due to extreme constraints and oppression. The male society
might not have let me give suggestions as it could hurt their ego. I would have faced many
threats because of my extroverted personality and this would have lead to many issues. Being
said what to do and treatments that were not equivalent to opposite sex, might have eventually
led me to the mental asylum as well. I could have fought back and raised my voice against the
discrimination that every woman experienced at that era, but it would have taken too long before
some change could happen. The female society, even today face many issues and are not given
equal opportunities when compared to this male dominant world (Scull, 2015). If this is the
situation of 20th century, there is no guarantee that I could have survived in American history,
especially during that era.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chesler, P., 2018. Women and madness. Chicago Review Press.
Rothman, D.J., 2017. Conscience and convenience: The asylum and its alternatives in
progressive America. Routledge.
Scull, A., 2015. Madness in civilisation. The Lancet. 385(9973). pp.1066-1067.
Online
Women and Madness in the 19th Century. 2013. [Online]. Available through:
<https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/16449/1/BA-ElisabetRakelSigurdar.pdf>
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