The Changing LIfe of the People (pgs. 662-673)

During the late 1700's and into the early 1800's, the family life within all European countries changed drastically. Families lived and raised their children under the same roof as their brothers and sisters. The extended families provided security for the older members of the family. Men and women married late in their lives; years after reaching adulthood and beginning to work. Men stayed at home until they were economically able to start their own household, however most boys worked very hard for meager wages. The plowed and wove, while the girls spun and tended to the cows. When a boy worked away from the home, he drifted from job to job within a town. Many girls were sent off as servants to other families, while the wages they earned were given directly to their family. This girls were constantly under the eye of mistresses who were often abusive. Women became a victim of sexual harassment, many times resulting in an undesired pregnancy. These women were looked down upon by society, as were their illegitimate, bastard children. Premarital sex was strongly apposed because of the threat it posed on a close-knit community, and was often practiced only by those contemplating marriage. Childhood was a dangerous time for many received little schooling and experienced less than satisfactory medical care. Many infants were killed because of the simple fact that there were too many children to feed. Children of all classes were considered unimportant at this time mainly because of the growing death rate of infants.
The upper class led the way in the development of literature and eventually minimal education. Illiteracy was still prominent within the common people. The minimal literacy that now existed inspired the growth of literature, with the Bible still being the most popular. Books became a small escape from the harshness of reality. Europeans began living longer and developing better nutrition. Their diet consisted mainly of bread, and was washed down with wine, beer, water and minimal skim milk. Life improved over this time period; however the treatment of women and children drastically worsened.