Final answer:
Industrialization saw women starting as key factory workers but then shifting to perform domestic duties as the 19th century ended. Victorian values cemented traditional gender roles, though the Progressive Era saw women entering skilled professions and contributing to societal reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Industrialization in the late 1800s brought about significant changes in the roles of women in society. Female laborers were initially important in early factories, particularly in textile manufacturing, but as the century progressed, mechanization reduced the need for manual labor, which was often replaced by machinery. Though women and children were a significant part of the workforce early in the Industrial Revolution, by the late 19th century, there was a noticeable shift with a lesser presence in factories.
The societal view primarily placed men into the roles of skilled laborers and primary breadwinners, while women were expected to manage the domestic duties. This shift in roles was further influenced by Victorian values that imposed strict expectations on women regarding modesty, morality, and their place within the home. However, with the Progressive Era, the role of women began to change once more, with a growing number of women entering professions such as nursing and teaching, as well as becoming involved in social reforms aimed at improving living conditions and advocating for rights.