Why Do Some Colleges Refuse to Accept women in the late 19th Century?

In the late 19th century, many colleges refused to accept women due to prevailing societal norms that emphasized traditional gender roles and the belief that higher education was unnecessary for women. Institutions often argued that women's primary responsibilities were domestic, and that academic pursuits could compromise their health and femininity. Additionally, many colleges were male-dominated and sought to preserve their exclusivity and status. As a result, women faced significant barriers to accessing higher education during this period.