Reader Response

March, 1989

American society in the late 18th Century wasn't as staid as some modern Americans would have us believe. In fact, as described in The Reshaping of Everyday life, 1790--1840, by Jack Larkin, premarital sex was quite common: nearly one third of rural--New England brides were pregnant when they went to the altar.Premarital sex was actually encouraged by the practice of bundling; that is, allowing unwed couples to sleep in the same bed without undressing.Bundling was celebrated in 18th Century song...

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