Slave families were often headed by women more frequently than white families due to the disruption of family structures by slave owners through practices such as selling family members away. This led to a matriarchal structure in many slave families, where women played a central role in keeping the family together and passing down cultural traditions.

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Slave Families

Question 50

Multiple Choice

Slave families:

A) were rare because there were too few female slaves.
B) were more common in the West Indies, where living conditions favored their formation and survival.
C) were headed by women more frequently than were white families.
D) usually were able to stay together because most slaveowners were paternalistic.

Correct Answer: