The "cult of domesticity" was a 19th-century social ideology that emphasized the role of women as devoted wives and mothers. It promoted the belief that women should focus on home life, nurturing children, and maintaining a moral household. This concept was prevalent in the United States and was often associated with the middle and upper classes during the Victorian era. The cult idealized traits such as piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity, often referred to as the "Four Virtues." It reinforced traditional gender roles and limited women's opportunities outside the home, impacting their social and economic status. The movement was challenged by early feminists and social reformers, leading to changes in women's rights and societal expectations.