Profissões para mulheres em Manaus (1880-1930): imposições sociais de gênero e brechas para a subversão através do trabalho

Abstract

In the early 20th century, the city of Manaus experienced a period characterized by intense economic, structural, and social changes. These transformations drove shifts in gender social roles, particularly through the inclusion of women in the realm of paid labor. The historical context, marked by global events like the Great War, national changes such as the abolition of slavery, and the rise of the rubber industry in Northern Brazil, fostered a conducive environment for women's entry into the paid labor market in the region. Drawing inspiration from Virginia Woolf's essay "Professions for Women" this research aimed to comprehend how women defied social gender impositions by venturing into professions considered unsuitable for them. Historical sources utilized in the study encompassed official documents, periodicals of the era, and period photograph albums, aimed at first understanding the gender-based social impositions directed towards women living in Manaus between 1880 and 1930. From this standpoint, it became apparent how these women challenged these gender-based social impositions through their work. The research identified strategies employed by these women to access professions deemed inappropriate for them, ranging from pursuing specialized education to leveraging specific social circumstances, such as widowhood, to manage properties or businesses. The emphasis lies in the autonomy achieved by women through paid labor, highlighting that women's struggle for the right to education and entry into diverse professional fields goes beyond financial aspects. It encompasses avenues for intellectual, moral, philosophical, and even sexual expression, revealing that women's labor paved the way toward greater independence and gender equality.