Like north, life centered around home, lack of public participation Cult of honor: - Particularly important for southern white men to protect women ? Men more dominant, women more subordinate than North - George Fitzhugh, 1850s: "The right to protection involves the obligation to obey" More isolation from "public world" due to living on farms - Limited opportunities aside from as a wife and mother - Modest farm: economic life w/ spinning, weaving etc., agricultural tasks, supervision of slaves - Larger plantations: "plantation mistress" as an ornament for husband Less education opportunities, focus on training women to be suitable wives Special burdens: - 20% higher birthrate, but also higher infant mortality - Spared from ardous labor