Caption: What habits, good or bad, do you think these two girls have formed,
judging by what you can see in the pictures?

Brushing your teeth or washing your hands with soap and water were expected of all young people. For Winslow, good behavior and the building of a strong character were just as crucial. A child with a good habits and manners was surely a reflection of the strong disposition of the American population.

It is difficult to accurately understand the message Winslow was trying to convey with this image. Did he want to instill upon the younger female readers that it was necessary to take pride in their appearance and help their Mothers at home? Or rather is the image on the right a warning to girls whose focus is outside the home and whose dishelved appearance is due to a lack of proper manners and domestic training?

Back