Women in Colonial America - 1842 Words

Throughout most of history women generally have had fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men. Wifehood and motherhood were regarded as womens most significant professions. Since early times women have been uniquely viewed as a creative source of human life. Historically, however, they have been considered not only intellectually inferior to men but also a major source of temptation and evil. Colonial women faced the harsh realities of childbirth, housework, and serving their husbands because it was tradition. The ways of the ‘old country’ culture was forced upon a new one, disallowing any room for new ideals. Although constrained by society Colonial women have had their part in shaping America. European nations came to the†¦show more content†¦Women were considered to be the â€Å"weaker vessels ,† not as strong physically or mentally as men and less emotionally stable. Legally they could neither vote, hold public office, nor participate in le gal matters on their own behalf, and opportunities for them outside the home were frequently limited . Women had great social pressure on them to marry. Young girls were often married by the age of 13 or 14 . It was socially unacceptable if women were not married by the age of 25 . Marriage was mostly for economic benefits, not romantic situations. A wedding, rather than a religious ceremony, was a civil contract that set the responsibilities and duties of husband and wife . Once married, they legally became one with their husbands. Married women had no control of their earnings, inheritance, property, and also could not appear in court as a witness nor vote . Their husbands, therefore, were responsible for all aspects of their wife including discipline . Colonial women spent most of their life bearing children and most of their adult life raising them . There were some large families of ten to fifteen children, but the average family had six or seven. Many children died from diseas e in infancy or early childhood (only about half of Colonial infants reached adulthood ). The daughters of Colonial women were trained to be wives and mothers. The girls helped with cooking,Show MoreRelatedWomen in Colonial America769 Words   |  4 PagesWomen in Colonial America When women first arrived to the new colonies, many did not have the money to pay in order to get off the boat. This forced them into 4-5 years of servitude. Women would then be free to search for a husband. In Colonial America, the social status of citizens was based on financial standings, ethnicity, and religious beliefs. Social class was a determining factor of opportunities available to women. They had considerably greater rights than their counterparts in England,Read MoreLife For Women During Colonial America1993 Words   |  8 PagesLife for women in Colonial America was tougher to endure than life back in England. With daily home chores, that generally lasted all day, to keeping the children under control, women were often burdened by the amount of work they had. Luckily, settling down and finding a husband was inevitable. Although, many women who first came to America as indentured servants would have to wait for marriage until the end of their service. Life in the colonies was different for a female indentured servant andRead MoreFirst Generations : Women s Colonial America By Carol Berkin1903 Words   |  8 PagesThe book First Generations: Women in Colonial America written by Carol Berkin shares the power of control of a women’s role in the early part of American society was linked to her race and where she lived. 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Huge topic like gender roles, women population, and men being privilegeRead MoreWomen During The 19th Century1171 Words   |  5 PagesConstantly throughout history women have had different roles in society from men. Women were thought of as the caregivers and were expected to stay at home, while men were hunters and worked in the business world. The position of women in America as drastically changed, especially when noting the evolution of women in the 17th century to women in the 19th century. Women in colonial america were expected to stay at home, but this changed when the Republican Mother, a strong figure that became empoweredRead MoreStatus of Women in Colonial Society1243 Words   |  5 PagesMariama Bessane Professor Perine James American History 1151- Essay #1 Jan 7th,2016 Status of Women in Colonial Society Women were always considered inferior to men since day one. That belief had been existing until the eighteen century. During that period, English Colonists brought to America their ideologies with them. Women did not have the same rights as men did during that time. Women were tied in a leash, kept in the dark, and controlled by society. Life wasn’t easy for them. They wereRead MoreWas The Colonial Period A Golden Age? For Women?1010 Words   |  5 Pages Issue 1.3 Was the Colonial Period a â€Å"Golden Age† for Women in America? Amanda Tyler History 221 Dr. Coles September 30, 2014 Issue 1.3 Was the Colonial Period a â€Å"Golden Age† for Women in America? †¦ In the issue â€Å"Was the Colonial Period a â€Å"Golden Age† for Women in America?† the core difference of whether or not it was a golden age for women is seen in the variation of roles women had in the colonies compared to later generations and whether or not these differences led to themRead MoreAmerican Life in the Seventeenth Century: Study Notes1206 Words   |  5 Pageswere laborers. 2. By 1700, English colonial landowners began to rely more heavily on African slavery because of a declining birthrate in England. 3. Regarding colonial life expectancy during the seventeenth century, life expectancy in New England was unusually high. 4. In the seventeenth century, white women in colonial Chesapeake averaged one pregnancy for every two years of marriage. 5. Compared to women in colonial Chesapeake, New England women were more likely to have their familyRead MoreGender Roles In Colonial America1246 Words   |  5 PagesGender Roles in Colonial America Gender Roles were very important in Colonial America. Nowadays, young women are taught that they could grow up and be whatever they want--but it wasn’t always this way. In Colonial times women were limited in what they could do or even say. Although they had limitations, without the roles they played many people wouldn’t have survived. Gender Roles were passed from generation to generation with many limitations for women. Despite these limitations, many women were comfortableRead MoreColonial Latin Americ A Strong Gender Hierarchy1013 Words   |  5 PagesColonial Latin America had a strong gender hierarchy that was maintained through a mix of social and legal control. Spain enacted policies restricting the immigration of women to it colonies in the Americas. In order to mold colonial society in accordance to the ideals of the family society that existed in Spain waves of female emigration laws were passed in the 1530s and 1540s. The conditions created for women to emi grate from Spain created an uneven hierarchy where men held greater autonomy. One-law