Final answer:
In the 19th century, the concept of 'hysteria' was used to control women by pathologizing their experiences and limiting their autonomy.
Hysteria was associated with physical symptoms in women, and it was believed that their emotional nature made them prone to it. This allowed society to maintain social order and reinforce traditional gender roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 19th century, the concept of 'hysteria' was used to control women. Hysteria was associated with physical symptoms such as panic, pain, and paralysis in women who appeared to have no physical problems. It was believed that women's emotional and psychological nature made them prone to hysteria, and this assumption was used to justify controlling and limiting women's autonomy.
For example, women were not given the right to vote and had limited legal rights. They were expected to fulfill the traditional gender roles of being pious, pure, submissive, and domestic. The idea behind controlling women through the concept of hysteria was to maintain social order and reinforce the patriarchal structure of society.
Another way hysteria was used to control women was through the medical field. Sigmund Freud, a renowned psychiatrist, contributed to this by diagnosing women with hysteria and claiming it was caused by psychological trauma. This helped to pathologize women's experiences and prevent them from challenging their societal roles.