Questions: Women in colonial America had different expectations and statuses.
- In society, White women were expected to assist with household duties and raise children.
Transcript text: Women in colonial America had different expectations and statuses.
- In society, White women were expected to assist with household duties and raise children.
Solution
To fill in the blank in the statement about women in colonial America, we need to consider the societal context of the time. In colonial America, the societal structure was largely influenced by European traditions, particularly those from England, as many of the colonies were originally English settlements.
Answer
The answer is "colonial."
Explanation
In colonial society, White women were expected to assist with household duties and raise children. This expectation was rooted in the traditional European gender roles that were brought over by settlers. Women were primarily responsible for managing the home, which included cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. This role was seen as essential to the functioning of the household and, by extension, the community.
Option 1: Colonial Society
In colonial society, the roles of women were largely domestic. They were expected to maintain the household and support their husbands, who were typically responsible for external affairs such as work and politics. This division of labor was a reflection of the patriarchal structure of the time.
Option 2: Indigenous Society
In contrast, Indigenous societies in North America often had different roles for women, which could vary significantly between tribes. Some Indigenous cultures were matrilineal, meaning that lineage and inheritance were traced through the mother, and women could hold significant power and influence.
Option 3: African Society
Enslaved African women in the colonies faced a different set of expectations and challenges. They were often forced to work in harsh conditions, both in the fields and within the household, and had little autonomy over their lives.
By focusing on "colonial society," we capture the general expectations for White women in the American colonies, which were shaped by European customs and the patriarchal norms of the time.