1. Social Structure of the Old Regime

2. Demographic Changes
In the 18th c. Europe’s population continued a stead and significant growth
Factors that account for this:
Diet
Transportation improvements
Decline of the plague
Weather
Medical Improvements

3. All of Europe took park in the population growth
Urban areas grew fastest

4. The Class System
European society continued to be divided into “estates”
Most nations continued to grant privilege for those who claimed hereditary descent from noble blood
Wealthy merchants and cash-strapped nobles often saw the benefit of blending families

5. Family Life and Child Rearing
Family remained predominantly nuclear
Average age at first marriage was often mid to late 20s for both men and women
Families generally labored together as a family unit

6. In agricultural settings, tasks tended to divide based on gender
Children were expected to contribute productive labor at an early age

7. Strong community controls in early modern Europe had ensured that couples avoided having children out of wedlock
Between 1750 and 1850, a rapid increase of illegitimacy occurred
Unfortunate consequences of out of wedlock births were the related problems of infanticide and child abandonment

8. Children were viewed as sinful
Parents were warned to strongly discipline children
Children were tightly swaddled to restrict their natural impulsive movements
Upper class women relied on wet nurses to provide nutrition
Views of children changed slowly during the 18th c.