Colonial Women Women did not have an easy life during the American colonial period. Before a woman reached the age of 25, she would have to marry and have at least one child. Most, if not all, household tasks were performed by women, and most household goods and food were prepared and created by women. Women performed these tasks without having any legal recognition. Although women had to endure many hardships, their legal and personal lives were becoming less restricted, even as change was occurring at a snail's pace. Life for the colonial woman was a mixture of captivity and freedom in their marriages, homes, and American America. Colonial legal system. Women who chose to come to the American colonies had a 100% chance of finding a husband. Men outnumbered women by nearly six to one. Any woman could be choosy when finding a husband, as countless men tried to convince her to marry. Since women could choose their husbands, they could marry those men who would benefit her the most. A woman did not have to marry a man who treated her badly. In most New England colonies, a woman could sue her husband for divorce if he treated her disrespectfully and abused or neglected her. Although women had the legal privilege to divorce a bad husband, they had no legal rights under the law. As soon as she married her husband, she lost all legal existence. For a woman to have a place in the legal system it was best to remain single. Single woman...