Patriarchy in Colonial New England

Abstract

This article explores the social relations of production within the rural household of colonial New England. It draws upon a review of the litera ture as well as primary research in Western Massachusetts to describe important aspects of patriarchal domination of sons and the extent and significance of the sexual division of labor. Two significant theoretical issues are emphasized: 1) There are important interconnections between control over children and control over women which have important implications for understanding the impact of the growth of capitalism on the family and 2) The fact that women in colonial New England played an important role in production did not ensure them any objective power within the household.