Who urged women to give up tea?

The most famous figure associated with urging women to give up tea was Hannah More, a prominent English writer, social reformer, and philanthropist of the 18th century.

In her 1791 book "Thoughts on the Importance of the Manners of the Great to General Society," she argued that tea drinking was a frivolous and wasteful habit for women, contributing to their idleness and frivolity.

Here are some key points from her argument:

* Tea drinking was a waste of time and money: More believed that women spent too much time preparing and consuming tea, which could have been better used for more productive activities.

* It promoted idleness and frivolity: She felt that tea parties and social gatherings centered around tea encouraged a culture of superficiality and gossip rather than meaningful conversation and intellectual pursuits.

* It was detrimental to health: She believed that tea drinking was unhealthy, contributing to weak constitutions and "nervous disorders."

While More was a vocal critic of tea, it's important to note that:

* Her views were not universally accepted: Many women, especially those from higher social classes, continued to enjoy tea and its associated social rituals.

* The idea of women giving up tea was not entirely new: Other writers and social commentators had expressed similar sentiments before More, but she popularized the idea and gave it a more prominent platform.

Ultimately, More's arguments reflect a broader societal concern about the role of women in the 18th century, with a strong emphasis on virtue, frugality, and domesticity. While her views were not widely adopted, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of the time.