Mayan’s Family Life  Mayan families worked hard everyday, but they made time to celebrate important events  The aging of children is one of the most important events to celebrate.  At the age of three, girls were introduced to tools for housework.  When boys turn four, they were introduced to tools to assist in farming.  When girls turn 12, they were relieved from red shells tied around their waist.  When boys turn 14, white beads were removed from their hair.  Boys marry when they’re 20, and girls at 14.

Continued…  Mayan peasants lived in one-room huts made of interwoven poles covered with dried mud.  Women would get the fire burning before the crack of dawn.  During the sunlight hours, women and almost-matured girls cared for small children and their small group of livestock.  Men would care for the crops, but when there is no farming to do, they hunted and trapped animals.  Mayan families weaved, cooked, did laundry, fished, and worked the land.

Aztec’s Family Life  Men had higher status than women did.  Even if men had higher status than women, women had their own rights.  The most important chore for women was to care, and birth children.  Commoner’s children helped with chores around the house.  Girls helped keep the order of their house.

Continued…  Aztecs would join together with their families to watch a sacrifice of a life 18 times a year.  Richer children were able to enjoy better food, education, and environment.  Rich girls didn’t have to do many of the chores common girls did.  Rich children had easier lives, and better futures.

Inca’s Family Life  In the Inca civilization, people lived in groups of families called the ayllbus.  Each allu had its own farms and houses, though none of the allu had any land.  Most children in the allus had no proper education, though the richer ones had tutors.  Rich boys had to go through a harsher training than regular boys.  Instead of just adding a clothing item, richer boys had to train a solder’s training.

Continued…  Girls took care of babies and cooked while boys looked after their little animals.  Boys married at the age of 20, while girls married at the age of 16.  Couples usually married in the same allus, but young singles were able to pick their own partner in “market marriages.”  Couples exchanged held hands and exchanged sandals if each young adult agreed to marry.  Afterward, they all join together to create a new generation of the allu.

Pop Quiz! Mayan Edition  Q: What is one of the most important celebrations they all celebrate in the Mayan civilization?  Q: What item is removed from a girl at the age of 14?

Answers!  A: Aging of the children  A: Red shells tied around waist

Pop Quiz! Aztec Edition  Q: Who had better status?  Q: What are the luxuries rich children were able to experience?

Answers!  A: Men had better status.  A: Better education, food, and environment

Pop Quiz! Inca Edition  Q: What are groups of families called?  Q: Who tended the children?

Answers!  A: Ayllus  A: Women