Throughout the colonial period, various broad stereotypes have emerged of women. With different struggles and obstacles to overcome, each woman is unique to the individual. This identity of a unified or singular group with a single set of interests and goals is an idea we have to move away from. A mired of different experiences have shaped the “women’s” experience of the colonial period. Laws put in place by those governing the country set to control the thing that seemed to always be controlled, women. Combined their roles influenced the roles of the future generations for women creating a ripple to last until the 1960s. Their bodies, importantly their reproduction capabilities. From sex, childbirth, and even breastfeeding something we normally associate as a woman’s or mothers duty was being controlled by men for a large part of 18th
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During 1742, a small Connecticut village had a soap opera style plan unfold out. Two young lovers, Sarah Grosvenor and Amasa Sessions conceived a child out of wedlock. In a piece called, “Taking the Trade”, author Cornelia Dayton explains the story of what happened to our young lovers. Unprepared for a child, Amasa Sessions presented an idea. To have Sarah take an aide to assist in the abortion of the child, something not uncommon for women to do during this time. With not only both families’ reputations at stake, but the new reputation for Sarah and her child would hard to bear. With the help of John Hallowell, a “self-proclaimed physician”, leading to a series of unfortunate events leaving Sarah and her unborn child dead. Though abortions were practiced during this time, it was something done with the help of midwives, a woman’s job. A medical practiced with the use of herbs such as savin or
During 1742, a small Connecticut village had a soap opera style plan unfold out. Two young lovers, Sarah Grosvenor and Amasa Sessions conceived a child out of wedlock. In a piece called, “Taking the Trade”, author Cornelia Dayton explains the story of what happened to our young lovers. Unprepared for a child, Amasa Sessions presented an idea. To have Sarah take an aide to assist in the abortion of the child, something not uncommon for women to do during this time. With not only both families’ reputations at stake, but the new reputation for Sarah and her child would hard to bear. With the help of John Hallowell, a “self-proclaimed physician”, leading to a series of unfortunate events leaving Sarah and her unborn child dead. Though abortions were practiced during this time, it was something done with the help of midwives, a woman’s job. A medical practiced with the use of herbs such as savin or