1700s and Today

September 20, 2001

Life in the colonies had many differences from life today. Through the years some things were subtracted, some adjusted, and others abandoned. For example they relied on the direction that was instituted for them, instead of forging their own ideas; today we have more sources and knowledge about different cultures. In colonial times there was a better sense of community, families were closer, and religion played a much more important role in people's lives.

In colonial times there was a strong sense of community, but in our time everyone is, for the most part, on their own and mainly concerned with their own needs. People took it upon themselves to take care of others in their community as though they were their family. "...certain men thought to have special medical knowledge" would receive sick persons into their homes for day-to-day care and treatment. Family and community combined and formed a more secure feeling. People felt they had to improve others' living conditions to improve their own. "idle and even criminal persons were sentenced by the court to live as servants in the families of more reputable citizens" It was thought to be good for you to do good things. The ties between family and community were almost indistinguishable. "It was an orphanage (the home) - in that children whose parents had died were transferred into another household" These things created a greater whole for the settlers. Now everyone strives to be independent and self-sufficient apart from a group or community.

A sense of family was also much more important than it is today. Back then, social pressure was on being respectful towards your parents and elders; now it is more of the opposite. "...when the aged and infirm could no longer care for themselves, they were incorporated into the households of their grown children." There was a larger sense of responsibility towards the care of loved ones. Close connections to your family were also very important. "...it served to prepare its youth..." Basically the only people you interacted with were your family. Families were self-sufficient and came together to create a routine and system. "Work was an extension of family life and merged imperceptibly with all its other activities." The colonists had to constantly work just to get by, everything they needed they had to provide for themselves. Work is now outside of the home and the government and other institutions take care of things that would traditionally be the family's responsibilities, like the elders and the poor.

Religion was essential and divided many people, whereas now there is more of an understanding and tolerant attitude towards our growing number of diverse peoples. Religion was the basis of life in the colonies. "...central importance of churches..." The church was at the center of most colonies. Religion was the law in most colonies and homes. "The family was a church..." Every activity and decision made was directed by the views of the church. The church had the most predominant effect in their everyday lives. "...prayers and personal meditation formed an indispensable adjunct..." They relied on the direction their religion gave them to proceed. We are all very diverse now and have more open minds, and are able to accept others beliefs with more ease. Religion is now more of a source of guidance, not control, for most people. people seem to have more of a personal interest than as a part of a community.

Community, families, and religion all seemed to be much stronger then than they are today, while, in the place of these, other things have been developed which are not negative in the least. For instance, in the colonies you would grow up with your life, occupation, and religion already set for you, instead of choosing what made you happy and suited you best as we have the freedom to do today. From this, it can be learned that in both times we had extremes, and while some things that are important have been lost for the most part, others have been gained that are just as important.