1) In preindustrial Europe, the nuclear family was most common and people typically married late, usually in their late 20s, after they could financially support themselves. 2) Both girls and boys would leave home to work as servants or laborers, gaining independence but also facing exploitation, especially for girls and servant girls. 3) Rates of illegitimate births were initially low due to tight community control over premarital sex and adultery in rural areas, but rose in the 18th century as industrialization allowed for more independence and freedom from such controls in cities. 4) Literacy rates rose rapidly from 1600-1800 promoted by various groups, allowing common people access to Enlightenment ideas

1. CH 20: The Changing Life of the PeopleAP European HistoryMagister Ricard

2. Marriage and the FamilyCH 20: The Changing Life of the People

3. Late Marriage and Nuclear FamiliesNuclear family was most common in preindustrial EuropeCommon people married late (late 20’s)Distinguished European society from others in the worldMost waited until they could support themselves financiallyState attempted to control sexual behavior of unmarried adults

4. Work Away From HomeGirls and boys learned independence by working away from home as servants, apprentices, laborersService in another family’s home common for girlsServant girls worked hard, little independence, in danger of sexual exploitationBoys subject to abuse, less vulnerable to sexual harassmentProstitutes faced harsh laws during 16th and 17th centuries

5. Premarital Sex and Community ControlsEvidence points to low rate of illegitimate birthsIn rural areas, tight control on premarital sex and adulteryCouples general had several childrenContraception used mainly by urban population

6. New Patterns of Marriage and IllegitimacyCottage industry enabled independence earlier for young men and womenYoung villagers who moved to the city entered into new sexual relationship free of community controlIllegitimacy rates rose steadily between 1750-1850

7. Children and EducationCH 20: The Changing Life of the People

8. Child Care and NursingWomen of lower classes breast fed longer than customary todayThe well-off hired poor wet nursesReliance on wet nurses led to high levels of infant mortalityIn second half of 18th century, harsh criticism rose over wet-nursing

9. Foundlings and InfanticideRates of infant mortality were highMany children were abandoned after birthFoundling homes created to care for these childrenInfant mortality rates high in foundling homesSome evidence suggests infanticide was common

10. Attitudes Towards ChildrenDiscipline was often severeEnlightenment sparked a new debate about proper childrearing and childhoodConflicting evidence about relationships between parents and children during 18th century

11. Schools and Popular LiteratureProtestants and Catholics encouraged reading of the BibleSome European governments encouraged primary school for children of commonersBasic literacy rose rapidly between 1600 and 1800Rise in literacy promoted readingCommon people were not cut off from the ideas of the Enlightenment due to rise in literacy

12. Food, Medicine, and New Consumption HabitsCH 20: The Changing Life of the People

13. Diets and NutritionPoor diet consisted of whole grain bread, peas, and vegetablesCommoners loved meat and eggs, but did not eat very oftenTownspeople had a more diverse diet than peasantsRich gorged on meat, sweets, and liquorDiets varied by regionPatterns of food consumption changed drasticallyNew foods from Americas improved calorie per acre production and nutritionCorn, squash, tomatoes, potatoesMost remarkable dietary change was consumption of sugar and tea

14. Toward a Consumer SocietyConsumer goods increased in quantity and variety during 18th centuryFashion industry becomes prominentHousing reflected new consumerismConsumer society was concentrated in NW Europe and North America

15. Medical PractitionersDuring 1700’s included faith healers, pharmacists, physicians, surgeons, and midwivesWomen became increasingly excluded from medical practice outside of midwiferyFew treatments were effectiveSurgeons made considerable progress in 18th centuryConquest of smallpox was greatest medical triumphExperimentation with inoculation against smallpox lead to vaccination with cowpoxEffective in preventing disease (Edward Jenner, 1798)

16. Religion and Popular CultureCH 20: The Changing Life of the People

17. The Institutional ChurchLocal parish church remained basic religious unitPlayed key roles in community lifeProtestants quickly bureaucratized churches controlled by secular powersCatholic rulers took control of Catholic Church in their domainsGrowth of state power and weakness of papacy exemplified by Jesuits in 18th century

18. Protestant RevivalPietism sought to revive emotional fervor of early ProtestantismInfluenced by Pietism, John Wesley (1703-1791) spread Methodism in England

19. Catholic PietyCatholic authorities compromised with local elements and festivity of popular CatholicismJansenism was Catholic version of Protestant PietismWas an urban phenomenonCatholic clergy sought to further “purify” popular religious practicesAttacks on popular Catholicism varied by region and country

20. Leisure and RecreationCarnival combines religious celebration and popular recreationTowns and cities offered a wide range of amusementsBlood sports were popularDivision begins between “high culture” and popular cultureElites saw the latter as sin, superstition, disorder, and vulgar