Horton mainly argued that gender roles, among formerly enslaved people in the late 1880s to early 1900's, were influenced by multiple factors such as social expectations combined with racism. For instance, Horton discussed that many Black men in the north faced harsh economic discrimination because they were only able to work low-paying jobs, outside of the many opportunities in the industrial work industry. Within the institute of slavery, men were expected to be strong providers who used their hands to provide for their families physically. However, once large groups of Black men began migrating north, racism remained rampant during the antebellum period, which severely restricted housing and education, making working a further obstacle for freemen. Nevertheless, Black women ultimately began working in factories and shipyards, while also serving as caregivers at home. Therefore, there became a gender expectational shift within the Black community in the North, because women became the primary providers while also being expected to care for children and be wives. (Allisya Smith)

The struggle for racial equality also shaped gender expectations in free Black communities. Adherence to gender roles and the avoidance of gendered and racialized stereotypes became one way to legitimize Black communities in the eyes of white society. Despite the acknowledgements that racial oppression limited the ability of Black men to achieve gendered ideals, Black women were often held to standards that were impossible to meet. To abide by gender roles, she would ideally stay in the home, perform domestic duties, and raise children, not only helping her family but demonstrating the femininity of Black women. However, there was also the acknowledgement that the economic advancement of Black families required women to work. However, this didn't lessen these expectations of domestic achievement, which instead were expected to be performed alongside paid work. Often, this was also balanced alongside community work to advance racial equality, in which Black women were simultaneously praised for their involvement even as they were barred from positions of power. (Cameron Spivy)