Final answer:
The notion of separate spheres and the Cult of Domesticity is true and did allow the American middle class to distinguish themselves as superior to the working class by promoting distinct gender roles and the moral importance of a woman's place in the home.
Step-by-step explanation:
The notion of separate spheres and the Cult of Domesticity during the 19th century are indeed true historical concepts that allowed the American middle class to distinguish themselves as separate from and often superior to the working class. This distinction was rooted in the idea that middle-class women's role was within the home (private sphere), nurturing children and managing household affairs, which was seen as morally uplifting. Conversely, men operated in the public sphere, involving commerce and politics. The working class, however, often could not afford this dichotomy, with many women and children working in factories or other jobs out of economic necessity.
The separate spheres ideology emphasized different characteristics for men and women. Women were viewed as pure and moral guardians of the home, while men were seen as strong and able to deal with the competitive, immoral world of business and public life. This clearly defined gender roles, confining most middle-class women to the home and allowing men to act as breadwinners and public figures. The domestic sphere became a sign of a family's social status, while the public sphere was indicative of a man's success in the labor market or political arena.
This concept, in part, led to the Cult of Domesticity, which extolled the virtues of women's roles in the home and family life, reinforcing the moral superiority of the middle class. The material comfort and focus on nurturing children were seen as a moral and cultural advantage over the working class, where such 'luxuries' were often unattainable. Therefore, the statement that the Cult of Domesticity allowed the American middle class to distinguish themselves as separate from and superior to the working class is true.