Gender Roles: American Colonial Cookery

The colonies of the New World followed European gender traditions. English custom prevailed, since the English dominated the young colonies legally and by virtue of their considerable numbers. For example, under English common law, the economic and social unit of the family was recognized through the male head of household, and only men could own and run a business, trade, or profession. Married women, theoretically represented by their husbands, were not allowed to pursue their own businesses in the public workplace and could not own property or sign contracts (although there was some variation among the colonies). At first the communities populated by different national groups were able to maintain their own gender systems. The French Napoleonic code permitted married women to own property in their own right, making possible their establishment of such food-related businesses as taverns in French communities. Among the Dutch colonists, women also had more rights in business. However, the English gained control over these other colonies, instituting their own system.