Question

In the 16th century, what was the male to female ratio of indentured servants?

1) Men were the majority of indentured workers
2) Women were the majority of indentured workers
3) The ratio was balanced between men and women
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 1. Men were the majority of indentured servants in the 16th century. Records suggest a higher number of male indentured workers, with females also present but in smaller numbers.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 16th century, men were the majority of indentured workers. This situation was a result of employers in the colonies preferring to rely on indentured servants who were primarily free-born English and other Europeans. Most of these immigrants who became indentured servants were men in their twenties seeking new economic opportunities. The harsh conditions and labor demands often led those who survived their term to become farmers or landowners in the colonies. Female indentured servants, while present, faced greater vulnerabilities and were sometimes exploited, indicating a lesser number in comparison to male servants.

The difficulty in estimating the exact ratio arises from the lack of records, but historical accounts suggest a larger number of male indentured servants. It's important to note that the ratio of indentured servants could vary by region, with more female domestic servants in urban centers. Despite these variations, men generally outnumbered women among indentured servants during this time.