Conversations Ongoing: When Things Break Down
Two models of early modern European society gives us a view of the complexities present during this period. Both show how difficult it is to hedge out a workable model that can define roles of both the family and gender roles in Europe.
As one looks at most of Europe during this time period one finds an agricultural based society where grain and the harvesting of grain is the main source of income and subsistence found. That being said, gender roles in this activity are pretty well established. Based on the physicality of the job men wold perform the heavy lifting while women and older people would do other perfunctory tasks, but still contribute to the process of harvesting. Women would also maintain issues surrounding the home including child care.
This model, however, does not adequately show the flexibility and manueverability in these gender roles. As seen in the Wiesner-Hanks text, one finds that during times of bad weather, epidemics, or simply a busy harvesting time, women would assume many of the tasks men were normally thought of performing.
Another familiar role is that of the typical family found throughout Europe. In most cases a small domicile would be found with a couple, their children, and perhaps a grand-parent or two (Wiesner-Hanks 191). This typical model however, does not hold up under even slight scrutiny, espcially for other areas in Eastern Europe.
Throughout Europe all types of family units could be found, including communal households. In some cases one could find a family group consisting of one unmarried person, a widow, several people living together of no relation, or even a larger extended family with many cousins, unmarried family members, and their children.
In highlighting these two general models of Europeans one is quick to see that generalizing roles of family and gender in a society is not an easy task. Once one delves deeper into the reality present, one finds complexities that can't be easily fit into a box.
As one looks at most of Europe during this time period one finds an agricultural based society where grain and the harvesting of grain is the main source of income and subsistence found. That being said, gender roles in this activity are pretty well established. Based on the physicality of the job men wold perform the heavy lifting while women and older people would do other perfunctory tasks, but still contribute to the process of harvesting. Women would also maintain issues surrounding the home including child care.
This model, however, does not adequately show the flexibility and manueverability in these gender roles. As seen in the Wiesner-Hanks text, one finds that during times of bad weather, epidemics, or simply a busy harvesting time, women would assume many of the tasks men were normally thought of performing.
Another familiar role is that of the typical family found throughout Europe. In most cases a small domicile would be found with a couple, their children, and perhaps a grand-parent or two (Wiesner-Hanks 191). This typical model however, does not hold up under even slight scrutiny, espcially for other areas in Eastern Europe.
Throughout Europe all types of family units could be found, including communal households. In some cases one could find a family group consisting of one unmarried person, a widow, several people living together of no relation, or even a larger extended family with many cousins, unmarried family members, and their children.
In highlighting these two general models of Europeans one is quick to see that generalizing roles of family and gender in a society is not an easy task. Once one delves deeper into the reality present, one finds complexities that can't be easily fit into a box.
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