How Are Illegitimate Children Treated In The 1600s

In the 1500-1600s, children born outside of marriage dealt with horrible disadvantages in society. Especially in England, the general public shunned almost every illegitimate child, regardless of their personal abilities or character. Normally families neglected and distanced themselves from their “tainted” relatives and the resulting shame. Bastard children faced financial, emotional, and social difficulties. 2 more sentences Lack of employment opportunities and no inheritance proved the greatest hardship for those of unfortunate birth. The mother of the children and any daughters faced the worst challenges. Many times the father left the mother to fend for herself. Any females depended on their families or lived destitute for the rest of their lives. Sons born in this way gained no inheritance and usually depended on any legitimate males in the family. Most often poor and ill-treated, children born out of wedlock lived underprivileged lives.
Unfortunately, illegitimate children could not escape the shame of their parents’ decision in the early 1600s. Local churches recorded when women gave birth and under what circumstances. So, whole communities knew who had a “proper” mother and father. Nowadays, children …show more content…
This thought likely plagued the people of the 16th century. In this day and age, wise adults and teenagers frown upon extra-marital sex. If a baby is born, society might shun the guilty parents, but no longer punishes the children for their parents’ mistakes. In the 1600s, communities branded bastard children as tainted and destined for immorality. The townspeople failed to treat illegitimate children as creatures of God. Children born out of wedlock lived hopeless lives as their communities swiftly judged their