Womens Experience in Colonial North America - Essay Example

Gender & Sexual Studies 25 January How did changes in or conflicts over gender roles and/or sexuality impact women’s experience in colonial North America? Introduction The life of Native American women during the colonial American period is a real history; it is an event that took place during the eighteenth century. This essay includes the discussion of conflicts and roles of women during this period, as well as how they were affected by these conflicts. Also to be discussed in this essay are other situations encountered by native women during the eighteenth century. The goal of the discussion is to arrive at the answers to questions such as; how were the lives of the native women prior to conflicts? What were their roles and how were these roles accomplished through gender? How the lives of women were during this period of conflicts and what were their roles? How were their lives affected by the conflicts and gender disparity and what role did they play thereafter? These and other questions arising concerning women shall be discussed in this essay. This discussion shall be brought forth using sources majorly based on discussions about women of the eighteen century. Thesis statement: The lives of native Northern American women during the period between 1700- 1800 greatly changed due to the effects of colonial powers and conflicts that affected their role and participation in the society. The colonial effects altered the gender roles and women were thus subjected to a different life experience. Colonial Life of Native American Women In the eighteenth century, women’s lives remained in the center of domestic dominion; this however changed as new opportunities for education and other life experiences developed after the revolution period (“Gender & Race in the Chesapeake Colonies”). For both men and women, marriage was held in high regard. These concepts of marriage however varied with different groups of people, where many perceived marriage as a way of confining women under the control of men. Marriage created both the physical and spiritual perspective. In fact, it acted as the beginning to formation of families and a primary aspect in the creation of strong and law-abiding societies. Native women had for so long carried the burden of the family. Their lives were almost like those of the slaves. They had to toil all through to cover up for their lazy husbands. Women had a crucial role to play during the colonial discontent with the royal authority. Their discontentment was evidenced through the consumer activism; this greatly earned them recognition for their efforts. Although their efforts were not recognized in most cases, they worked tirelessly to express their loyalty to the nation. They held boycotts in support of solidarity against colonialists, yet all along, these native women had been known for their loyalty to state. The boycotts included weaving and wearing locally made clothes, avoiding luxurious places, and also illegally purchased and consumed herbal coffee and tea (“Women & the American revolution”). The native women endured long suffering in which at all times got engaged in battles and in the process, encountered loss of their loved ones. Elizabeth Sprigs is a good example of the suffering that women, especially those that were servants went through working day and night (Elizabeth, gmu.edu). A woman’s life was centered on her home and the village; they held high esteem and the village could not survive without the woman. They managed all matters in their households and their husbands never interfered in them (“Gender, Sexuality, & Religion in New England”). It was the role of woman to fetch firewood and cook food for the entire family. The experience of Native American women varied across the geopolitical space in the colonial era. The colonialists were driven by the desires to develop trade alliances, some opted for collaboration and as a result, there was gender imbalance in the society. Men were more attracted to the colonial powers than the women. During some wars, native women were taken captive and others were killed as they struggled to defend their community. Witch trials were also common and usually resulted in very severe punishments (Ray and the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, lib.virginia.edu). Women became participants of war rather than just being victims. They had to step in due to the absence of men. With this, women had to learn how to use weapons of war such as firearms, which they would use to defend themselves during wars. During the conflicts, the native women learned to care for the injured, they practiced the role of nursing. Before then, women’ participation as nurses was not recognized even for the professional one. Revolution also ushered in some alteration in women lives (“Gender in Native American Cultures”). Women’s legal rights especially the rights to divorce were adopted into the women lifestyle. Furthermore, women got increased access to education and many other privileges that improved their status. The colonial system brought about more employment opportunities for women compared to men. As much hype goes to the evolvement of the Native American women, there is however still some doubt about their development. Conclusion The Native American woman was born and raised a humble person with traditional roles impacted on her. Every woman before the colonial period had a boundary between her and her husband and was expected to be subjective to the husband. The husband on the other hand had his own role to play. However, due to the colonial activities and their influence, women’s role in the society had to change to a significant extent. They were forced to get engaged in war as they resisted slavery and other forced practices; with this, women roles were greatly affected. The colonial period was the turning point whereby most of the traditional practices were abandoned in favor of the colonial practices. In many ways, the colonial era affected women differently depending on their race. Native women had their lives improved in the long run; the most significant value that came to be added to their lives is education and empowerment. Works Cited “Gender in Native American Cultures.” Lecture notes. “Gender & Race in the Chesapeake Colonies.” Lecture notes. “Gender, Sexuality, & Religion in New England.” Lecture notes. Ray, Benjamin and the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. A Further Account of the Tryals of the New-England Witches, sent in a Letter from thence, to a Gentleman in London. 2010. Web. 25 January 2014. . Sprigs, Elizabeth. “We Unfortunate English People Suffer Here”: An English Servant Writes Home. 1756. Web. 25 January 2014. . “Women & the American revolution.” Lecture notes. Read More