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The Changing of The American

Family
The father was the
head of the
household.
Children were assets
to be used on the
farm.
Womanhood at the
time meant devotion
to the home and the
rearing of the children.
Sexual Innocence
Heal the sick
Smooth the rough
edges of men
Teach morality
Did not participate in
politics


Some saw the role of
motherhood as
liberating and in
control of their home.
Others saw as
confusing which led to
medical and
psychological
problems.
Involved in Antislavery Activities

Involved in the Temperance Movement

Their participation in these groups opened
their eyes to their own inequality.
Fought for changes in
laws relating to :
Property Ownership
Divorce
Custody of Children
Entered into new
Professions:
Journalism, Medicine,
Teaching & Industry
Mintz & Kellogg
MARRIAGE FAMILY
Alexis Tocqueville described
18
th
century marriage as a
companionship & mutual
affection arrangement.

Introduction of sex roles-
Husband breadwinner
Wife child reared and
homemaker
The Homemaker
17
TH
CENTURY 19
TH
CENTURY
Was a little church
Building block of social order
Education of children
Center for economic growth
Care for the sick & elderly
Center of the economy
Private
Nuclear (Immediate family
not kin)
Refuge from troubles of the
world
Home transitioned from
being part of the outside
world(working) to a place of
peace, love, self-denial,
sacrifice, selflessness &
companionship
The change came in the 18
th
century when
the home became the place for morality
and harmony.
This also was a response to the nations
rapid expansion.
As the economy became more market
oriented the place of employment became
less personal and more professional.
The home became the place for emotions
and closeness.
Marriage no longer was an economic
transaction between families but one
based on love and affection.
Pre-Revolution 1 out of 4 for love
Post-Revolution 3 out of 4 for love
Children were trained to be independent.
Develop their children for the world
(careers, friends & spouse)
PIETY MID 19
TH
CENTURY
Pious
Family prayer & Bible
readings in the mornings.
Church attendance on
Sunday
Family Vacations
New Celebrations
Thanksgiving
Birthdays
Christmas
Christmas Tree
Christmas Presents
Christmas Caroling
Thanksgiving Dinner
MID 19
TH
CENTURY CULTURE CHANGES
Weddings became more
elaborate with the exchange
of vows and wedding rings
began.

Husbands began to address
their wives by name instead
of Dear Child. Wives
began to address husbands
by their first or pet names.
Children began to be
referred to by their first
names.
Family portraits changed
from stiff uptight to life-like .
Furniture began to be
designed for children.
Nursery rhymes for children
written.
Toys and Books for children
Children were allowed to be children
longer.
Advent of adolescence
Birthrates were reduced
Role of housewives changed
90% or more of Americas households
lived on farms.
Households were self-sufficient: produced
their own food & clothing
Roles were defined for all family members
Father & sons(older)took care of the fields.
Wife and daughter took care of milking the
cow, spinning, weaving, poultry and
making clothes.
Wives in urban setting
managed the books
and supervised the
apprentices of their
husbands business.
Servants, laborers,
apprentices lived in
the masters home.
Men & Women
became more
separate.
Men went from farm-
counting houses,
mills, factories, shops
& offices.
The work day was
created.
Women were unsupervised, unpaid,
untrained.
Became domesticated.
Created 2 distinct and separate camps:
Domestic & Income Earning
Work & Family Life
Pictures are from the following:

History Images Colonial Era Women
Women's Rights Convention - Seneca
Falls 1848 Seneca Falls
Children in the 19th Century Family in the
19
th
Century

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