Episode 10: The Rise of the Bourgeois Woman – From the French Revolution to the 19th Century

In this episode, we dive into Chapter 5 of the History section (pages 157–191), where Beauvoir explores the shifting status of women during the French Revolution and into the 19th century. While revolutionary ideals promised liberty and equality, women were ultimately excluded from political rights and public life. Beauvoir examines how the rise of the bourgeois class redefined womanhood—emphasizing domesticity, morality, and submission within the family structure. As men pursued freedom and work in the public sphere, women were confined to the private realm. Join us as we trace how these contradictions shaped modern womanhood and deepened gender inequality.