Final answer:
The question pertains to the historical shifts in women's roles in society, especially in relation to work and domestic life. It explores how the economic necessity and societal expectations influenced whether women worked from home or outside it, and how these roles evolved over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The historical context provided in the question relates to the experiences of women during and after periods of social and economic change, particularly in the context of work and domestic life. The excerpts reflect the shifting roles of women in different times and societies, underscoring how economic necessity and social norms influenced whether women worked at home or outside it. The descriptions range from women being unable to work and begging on the streets, to supplementing family income through home-based work, to seeking independence and new opportunities in factory settings despite the challenge of sexual harassment.
Significant societal shifts occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century in countries such as the United States, France, Great Britain, and Germany. Working-class wives often worked from home, while unmarried women and those with absent or disabled husbands continued to seek factory work. The increased need for family income led many women to engage in piecework at home, care for children, do laundry, or take in boarders, thereby blending their domestic duties with economic ventures.
These historical examples show a common thread of women navigating the intersection of economic survival and social expectation, whether through factory work, home-based labor, or other less formal arrangements. Their choices were influenced by marital status, the presence of dependents, and broader economic conditions.