Changes

====Farm life====

====Farm life====

A majority of New England residents were small farmers. Within these small farm families, and English families as well, men had complete power over the property and his wife. When married, English women lost their maiden name and personal identity, meaning they could not own property, file lawsuits, or participate in political life, even when widowed. The role of wives was to raise and nurture healthy children and support their husbands. Most women carried out these duties. In the mid-18th century, women usually married in their early 20s and had 6 to 8 children, most of whom survived to adulthood. Farm women provided most of the materials needed by the rest of the family which includes spinning [[yarn]] from [[wool]] and [[knitting]] sweaters and stockings, making [[candle]]s and [[soap]], and churning milk into [[butter]].  

A majority of New England residents were small farmers. Within these small farm families, and English families as well, men had complete power over the property and his wife. When married, English women lost their maiden name and personal identity, meaning they could not own property, file lawsuits, or participate in political life, even when widowed. The role of wives was to raise and nurture healthy children and support their husbands. Most women carried out these duties. In the mid-18th century, women usually married in their early 20s and had 6 to 8 children, most of whom survived to adulthood. Farm women provided most of the materials needed by the rest of the family which includes spinning [[yarn]] from [[wool]] and [[knitting]] sweaters and stockings, making [[candle]]s and [[soap]], and churning milk into [[butter]].  

Most New England parents tried to help their sons establish farms of their own. When sons married, fathers gave them gifts of land, [[livestock]], or farming equipment; daughters received household goods, farm animals, and/or cash.  [[Arranged marriages]] were very unusual; normally, children chose their own spouses from within a circle of suitable acquaintances who shared their religion and social standing.  Parents retained veto power over their children's marriages.

Most New England parents tried to help their sons establish farms of their own. When sons married, fathers gave them gifts of land, [[livestock]], or farming equipment; daughters received household goods, farm animals, and/or cash.  [[Arranged marriages]] were very unusual; normally, children chose their own spouses from within a circle of suitable acquaintances who shared their religion and social standing.  Parents retained veto power over their children's marriages.