Scholastic Literature pp. 335

In the first page of “Women in the Present Day,” Josie McAdams claimed that women of her generation were more passive than women of past generations. For example, McAdams faults the increased materialism and laziness, desires for new clothes and their need to rest in the middle of the day. The author advocated for women to revert to previous ideals and to be sensible, intelligent, and caring. Fellow student, Sallie P. Davis would disagree and argued otherwise in her essay. These contrasting works in this single volume suggest women’s varied opinions in 1870 on their role in society.