Final answer:
The Cult of Domesticity was the cultural phenomenon that kept many middle- and upper-class women out of the workforce during the Industrial Revolution, reinforcing a division between men's public sphere and women's domestic life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, the Cult of Domesticity kept many middle- and upper-class women out of the workforce during the Industrial Revolution and the rise of capitalism. This socio-cultural ethos valorized the woman's role within the home and emphasized activities related to homemaking, child-rearing, and serving as support to the husband, often discouraging women's participation in the workforce.
During the Industrial Revolution, a significant transformation in work and family life took place, shaping gender roles and economic opportunities. The Cult of Domesticity played a pivotal role in maintaining a clear division between the public world of employment and business, deemed suitable for men, and the private sphere of the home, considered the appropriate domain for women.
The challenging of these ideals began to occur with increasing earnest at the turn of the 20th century, as women entered into professions such as teaching, nursing, and office work which allowed them to claim a different identity outside the confines of the home.