Average Life Span- American Revoution and Now

<p>There are other issues, too, however. Teen pregnancy was the norm. In New England, among Puritans, approximately one-third of women were pregnant before marriage (strongly encouraged by Puritan practices, as “barrenness” would be a sign that the expected marriage might not be blessed.) Life expectancy was much, much higher in New England (almost 20 years more) than in Virginia, where there was high mortality from malaria, and various waterborne diseases. (This is in addition to higher infant mortality.) Children assumed adult responsibilities in Virginia much sooner than in New England, where dad was much likelier to live for a long time before kicking over and ceding the farm to his children, though he was more likely to set them up in business, or provide a stake to send them westward. Male apprenticeships in New England were longer than further south.</p>

<p>Population growth also varied from place to place. Quakers started practicing birth control around 1780, which tended to make them richer as a result, but also, on average, older.</p>

<p>Remember, however, that life expectancy for one-fifth the population - slaves - was very short, and child mortality around 50%. They assumed adult responsibilities around age 10. When we talk about the 18th century, we often forget about them - yet, there were 6,000 slaves in Connecticut at the beginning of the American Revolution (most on tobacco plantations), and maybe triple that in New York State. South Jersey and Eastern Shore Maryland were home to indigo plantations.</p>