Part 5/13:
The term itself dates back to the 1300s and referred to women who spun yarn—often a profession of unmarried women who lacked resources for other pursuits. Over time, “spinster” became a term loaded with negative stereotypes: lonely, childless, and undesirable.
The Contradiction of Women’s “Freedom” and Choices
Responses from Victorian women frequently portrayed independence—such as pursuing careers or asserting free will—as evidence that women were “free” and unburdened by societal expectations. Yet, paradoxically, many still expressed loneliness or frustration at the inability to find a suitable partner.