Family Structure In Colonial America
1. a. Family structure: Colonial families were mainly nuclear and few homes were made up of extended family members for long periods. Families began with six or seven children, with large age gaps between each child. The religion was Protestant, in which they had the right to intervene in families that did not follow their duties. Also, few people survived outside of the family structure and each family was considered a "little commonwealth" (Benokraitis 57). Each family was a self-sufficient business, school, vocational institute, miniature church, house of correction, and welfare institution.
b. Sexual relations: Colonial Americans disagreed with premarital intercourse, so bundling was used to prevent it. This method involved a dressed man …show more content…
Husbands and wives: Women were subordinate to men, meaning wives had a duty to obey their husbands. Womens social status was determined by the patriarchal head of the household. Married couples had mutual responsibilities like showing affection and being faithful. Women had rights to transfer properties, obtain business licenses, and receive protection from abusive husbands. Men were responsible for their family's economic survival and women met the needs of others. Widows relied on their homes for businesses or continued their husband's business. However, women had limited access to credit, suing rights, and wills.
d. Children's lives: In Colonial America, between 10-30% children did not survive past their first birthday. Poor sanitation, crude housing, and limited hygiene were prevalent. Children were expected to be well behaved, obedient, and docile. Communites became worried that parents became less responsible and children disrespected authority. Young children were forced into labor and girls did not receive a proper education.
I believe that in our culture, bundling would not work because many individuals enjoy doing what they want when they want. Today, people take advantage of their freedoms and become rebellious. It is possible that bundling may work at first, but it would not last long due to individuals striving to be
b. Sexual relations: Colonial Americans disagreed with premarital intercourse, so bundling was used to prevent it. This method involved a dressed man …show more content…
Husbands and wives: Women were subordinate to men, meaning wives had a duty to obey their husbands. Womens social status was determined by the patriarchal head of the household. Married couples had mutual responsibilities like showing affection and being faithful. Women had rights to transfer properties, obtain business licenses, and receive protection from abusive husbands. Men were responsible for their family's economic survival and women met the needs of others. Widows relied on their homes for businesses or continued their husband's business. However, women had limited access to credit, suing rights, and wills.
d. Children's lives: In Colonial America, between 10-30% children did not survive past their first birthday. Poor sanitation, crude housing, and limited hygiene were prevalent. Children were expected to be well behaved, obedient, and docile. Communites became worried that parents became less responsible and children disrespected authority. Young children were forced into labor and girls did not receive a proper education.
I believe that in our culture, bundling would not work because many individuals enjoy doing what they want when they want. Today, people take advantage of their freedoms and become rebellious. It is possible that bundling may work at first, but it would not last long due to individuals striving to be