White Males of the colonies in the 17th and 18th Centuries

Out of the three groups of the time, men, women and Indians, the white men probably had the most stress in terms of having to show leadership and provide for the group. Neither the Indians nor the women had this type of stress in the same sense. It was present, but not in the same way that it was for the white males. the men were completely responsible for the growth and survival of their households, and on a greater scale, their colonies. What they had to face was nothing like life back in England (or whatever home country they came from). They, not parliament, were in charge. They really had no higher power that they had to report to. If the Indians were to attack, it was the men who would have to rally together and fight. Unlike in England, they had to do all of the jobs; they had to weave clothe, make shoes, grow the food....everything was their responsibility. Also, they were forced to look at the women in a new light. Women could not be locked up in the house all day as in England. There was far too much to do. Women weren't all free to go and do whatever they wanted of course, but the men were forced to release a bit of their vice grip on the women's freedom. So all and all, I would say the life of the white male in the colonies was very difficult. They had to defend against the relentless Indians, govern their new state, do every single thing that needed to be done to support their well-being, and at all times try to make the life of their family a little bit easier. Life was hard...