Layout 1

Chapter 2

(Garrett,1990).Thegoalof parentingwas
tousherchildrenoutof infancyasquickly
as possible and to develop their
independence.Thisindependencewas
thought to be good for both children and
parents.Sitting and crawling were
considered demeaning and animalistic,so
children’s furniture was meager and made
in such a way as to encourage upright
posture and walking as soon as possible
(Calvert,1992) (see Sidebar 2.2).Toys
were scarce,since children were pushed
toward adulthood and adult activities.As
adults,the focus tended to be on the
present rather than reflecting back on
childhood.
DuringthisearlystageofAmerican
history,childrendidnotattendschoolbut
insteadwereusedasasourceof laborto
helpthefamilysurvive.Genderroleswere
clearlydefinedandenforcedbythefamily.
Boyswereexpectedtoassisttheirfathersin
buildingandwoodworking,aswellas
hunting,fishing,andgrowingcrops.Girls
weretaughttheskillswomenneededtobe
goodwives,includinggrindingcorn,
cooking,baking,andsewing.
The Influence of Religion.The United
States was the first modern nation
founded by Protestants and the first to
enforce strict division of church and state
(Brinkley,2003).Therefore,religion was
of primary importance in Colonial
culture—both as a starting point for a
colony and as a method of maintaining
solidarity within a colony.Religion at this

time,in this part of the world,consisted

almost exclusively of various Christian or

Protestant denominations,many of which

had been persecuted or banned in Europe.

The Colonies were established by

groups of people who shared similar

religious beliefs and wanted the freedom

to express them.These beliefs often

became the hallmark of a colony,guiding

the behavior of the inhabitants.The varied

religious cultures of EarlyAmerica shaped

the most basic human interactions,

establishing a sense of identity for both

men and women,defining the spousal

relationship,and instituting guidelines for

rearing children.Religious beliefs also

served to maintain the strict gender

distinctions common in early Colonial

times (see Sidebar 2.3).

Familynormstendedtoberegionally

andreligiouslydetermined.Inaddition,

theywererelatedtowhetherapersonwas

free,aslave,oraredemptioner(aperson

whoagreedtoaperiodof servitudein

returnforpassagetotheNewWorld;a

redemptionermightalsoservetopayfor

thechild’spassage).Valuessuchashard

SIDEBAR2.3

MANDATORYCHURCHATTENDANCE

In 1619, everyone in Virginia was required to

attend worship services on the Sabbath. How

would this requirement affect us in the 21st

century?

Source:Brinkley,2003