Education has always been a strong value in my family and I have always appreciated the education that I have and will continue to receive. As I read about the daughters of immigrants, in Nancy Foner’s book, I was reminded how fortunate we are to be able to school each day instead of spending overly long days in sweatshops. Daughters of immigrants were given a surprisingly significant role as they often brought in almost forty percent of a family income. I was impressed by the selflessness that these young women must have displayed (happily or not, they still gave). Young Jewish and Italian girls would consistently hand over their hard-earned “untouched and unopened” paychecks to their families (112). Yet while they were doing so, their brothers were often studying in school, learning in order to soon get better jobs. Had I been in that position, I do not think I would have been upset to work to help out my family. Besides for the importance of the work, the social network and daily interaction with other women in the sweatshops was appreciated. Working did give women more independence and opportunity. They were able to go out and buy a new dress after giving most of the money to their family or go for a walk with their friends from work. Although the conditions were extremely unpleasant and constricting, being able to work must have been somewhat fulfilling and liberating.
At the same time, I would have resented the fact that I was working hard while my four brothers were in school, studying and learning enough to eventually land a better, respected job. If women had to work, then men should have too. Its an interesting thought when usually we are complaining that women should have been able to work with men and here we wish that men would work with women. Overall, it comes back to the issue of gender equality just in reversed measures.
When I was in day school, our teachers would remind us to credit Sarah Schenirer, a Polish Seamstress who instituted schools for young Jewish women in the early 1900s.I have had the benefit of a great education, in both secular and religious studies and feel privileged to have been born into a generation where that is possible.
