미국 서부개척 시기의 프론티어 여성들에 관한 연구

A Study on Frontier Women during the Westward Movement in America

&nbsp;&nbsp;The primary purpose of this study is examining various experiences of white frontier women in the period between 1840 and 1910. In particular, it discusses about women&quot;s participation in the settlement and development of the American West. Until the mid 1970s, frontier women appeared in histories of the American West only as one-dimensional stereotypes or not at all. When Frederick Jackson Turner delivered his famous address "The Significance of American History" in 1893, he clearly was talking about a male frontier. Migration to the west, however, was a family affair. Thus, one could not understand the frontier without considering the experience of the young, married white women who made up the bulk of adult female emigration.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The frontier fascinated Americans from the beginning with its promise of adventure and the opportunities it held out for land, health, gold, and religious freedom. In particular, difficult times pushed many American families to consider moving west. The temptation of cheap land in paradise was hard to resist. However, trail life held dangers as well as discomforts and hard work. Disease was the emigrant&quot;s constant companion and greatest enemy. Childbirth in the middle of the wilderness proved another risk. Women often relied on other females in their group for help and emotional support. They assisted with childbirth and comforted one another when they needed. The trails&quot; lessons on adapting and coping with the unexpected circumstances helped women for their new lives on the frontier.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;The American West offered challenges to women&quot;s skills and provided opportunities for them to develop new talents and to broaden the scope of their home and community activities. It also offered a significant degree of political participation. Everywhere in the West, by the end of the nineteenth century, women were entering new professions and businesses and were finding new roles outside the recognized scope of woman&quot;s place. There were school teachers, ranchers, shopkeepers, and doctors in the West. Whatever their marital or familial relations, frontier women participated actively in many phases of community life. In addition, a new understanding of gender roles in the first half of the nineteenth century identified culture and morality as female concerns<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;In every process, frontier women worked together to meet and solve the problems and challenges posed by wilderness living. The experiences of frontier women continued to influence women&quot;s values and attitudes in the west long after the passing of the frontier.