Tornem-se estimáveis por vossa sabedoria e vossos costumes: a proposta de educação para as mulheres no jornal O Mentor das Brasileiras (São João Del-Rei, Minas Gerais, 1829-1832)

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research aims to discuss the purpose of political education in the newspaper named O Mentor das Brasileiras, wich was written between 1829 and 1832, in Vila de São João del-Rei, province of Minas Gerais. The authors wanted to educate women using different contents related to their (womens) moral and customs. However, the most important thing we verified in this newspaper is the fact that the authors bring considerable articles with political lessons for the formation of bello sexo. The researchs object integrates the politic process of the nations construction and the States establishment in the Brazilian post-independency period in wich the political elites of the moment tried to civilize the people. For Brazils establishment as a civilized society with Europe as a cultural model these elites created a project of civilization that could change the habits of the Brazilian people. Using education, they tried to civilize the people. It is important to say that the press in the first half of the 19th century became an important way to form opinion and, through it, the political elite delegated itself the role of educating and civilizing the Brazilian people. Thus, using O Mentor das Brasileiras as the main analysis document, we demonstrated in this research the intention of the newspaper authors of forming the public opinion of the women in the political affairs which were being discussed in Brazil. Overall, we worked on the idea of enlightened public opinion, that was clearly expressed in the newspaper, since the authors in the role of enlighted men tried to enlighten their female readers, aiming at a political socialization of women, because these women could help the civilization project of the country, educating their children, mainly, to love the Motherland.