Continuity And Changes In Colonial Times

Times have defiantly changed since Colonial days. I am sure our forefathers never imagined the technological leaps and bounds we have made over the centuries. In Colonial times families needed to be more self-sufficient. They didn’t have a Wal-Mart or Food Lion right down the street. Vegetables were either grown or gathered, the majority of meat came from hunting or butchering livestock. Each and every member of the family participated in making sure there was food to eat and goods to trade. Our book tell us that each family was a “self-sufficient business, in which all family members worked together to produce and exchange goods” (Benokraitis, 2015). There was never a shortage of something to do, women and children alike worked long days to

ensure everyone’s needs were meet. Not only was the family farm a source of revenue it’s also served as the main house of worship. The homestead was like a “miniature church the guided its members in daily prayers, personal meditation, and formal worship within the community” (Benokraitis, 2015). Families didn’t go to large extravagant churches. If they were lucky enough to have a church close by it was often used for different thing such as schools.
In contrast times today have defiantly changed. No longer are children looked upon to work and help provide for the family. In most cases the mother and the father carry that burden alone. No longer are they able to spend the quality time by working in a close net family structure. They must leave the house every day for 10 to 12 hours so they can earn a living to pay bills and buy food. Religion, although still important to some, has lost its significates in some households. Families don’t pray or worship together anymore. Now when we go to church it’s about who has the nicest dress or gives the most money to the church. In my opinion times were much simpler in colonial days, and it’s a shame we have lost many of the values they held dear.