The Saloon
Preventing honest men from fulfilling their responsibilities at home
The saloon rapidly became the social hub of every town. Not only was it used by the drunks, but by every man looking for a job, catching up on the news, socializing with his friends, celebrating the good times or mourning over the bad ones.
For many men the saloon was a home away from home, a refuge from their jobs and a relief from their responsibilities as a working man, a husband and a father.
For many men the saloon was a home away from home, a refuge from their jobs and a relief from their responsibilities as a working man, a husband and a father.
Alcoholism was growing out of control and drinking at the saloon became a daily ritual for nearly every man. The average man, above the age of 17, drank more than three times the national average today.
The ones most affected by this lack of responsibility were in fact the ones without a voice: the women and children.
"drinking is a sign of masculinity that takes away masculinity" (burns).
This means the men at the saloon would drink to show their strength, but when intoxicated, could no longer fulfill the roll of a man and provide for their family. This cowardliness and lack of responsibility was what gave alcohol and the saloon their reputation and caused the revolt against it.
This revolt took hold in organizations such as the Anti-saloon league, which was just one of many parts in the revolution of temperance, which was the driving force in favor of Prohibition as early as the 1820's. Women also played a key role in raising awareness, because of their desperation and suffering from alcohol.
"drinking is a sign of masculinity that takes away masculinity" (burns).
This means the men at the saloon would drink to show their strength, but when intoxicated, could no longer fulfill the roll of a man and provide for their family. This cowardliness and lack of responsibility was what gave alcohol and the saloon their reputation and caused the revolt against it.
This revolt took hold in organizations such as the Anti-saloon league, which was just one of many parts in the revolution of temperance, which was the driving force in favor of Prohibition as early as the 1820's. Women also played a key role in raising awareness, because of their desperation and suffering from alcohol.