The motto in journalism is to make history one day at a time. Once a story is written and published it is immortal. The print media can offer a keen insight into societal issues and how societies respond to those issues. Newspapers, through classified advertisements, allow individuals and businesses various avenues to define the needs and wants of the time, therefore, providing aspects of societal shifts over time. Comparing two dates in the New York Times presents a plethora of shifts in the roles of men, the roles of women, and even medical discoveries, though some quite undeveloped.
The July 28th 1866 edition of the New York Times want ads suggests the gap between the genders by separating the employment sought by males from the employment sought by females. Men seeking employment would most often times offer good references, describing themselves as "respectable" and "understanding of their business," but never mentioning any training or educational experience. Often times one would mention their religious preference and marital status as well. The types of "situations" for males were mostly that of gardeners, farmers, or drivers. These ads imply that most men of this time were hard laborers and women were not capable of such work. .
The "situations" sought by women were in many ways different from the men, but aesthetically the same. Women would often offer up information much like the men, for instance their age or nationality. Most of the positions were stereotypically subservient, like those of housekeeping, cooking, or childcare. .
Comparing the 1866 edition to the July 28th 1977 edition, gender roles are practically non-existent. The classified advertisements for employment were no longer separated between the sexes and both men and women were considered for a larger range of positions. Those who sought employment during this decade would list their qualifications and educational experience, but usually nothing regarding age, nationality, marital status, or race.
