Slavery in Pre-Civil War Southern America May, 2014 | Page 2

The Roles of Male and Female Slaves
In Pre-Civil-War Southern America
Introduction
Slavery was a very common phenomenon in the southern States’ before the civil war. The
slaves were not allowed to practice their free will let alone freedom of expression or basic
rights such as religion and social relations. According to the law of that era, the slaves were
commodities that could be sold and purchased in the market.

Slavery for Females
There were a couple of roles and jobs that were exclusive to female slaves. Similarly there were
jobs dedicated for the male slaves, while some jobs were shared between both. Since the time
female slaves were bought on slave ships, they were not allowed to go below the deck, and
were ordered to walk around on the deck and the quarterdeck without any bounds or shackles.
This was to allow easier access to these women for sexual desires.
The women that seemed most fertile were priced the highest. A regular female slave would be
priced at a couple hundred dollars.
According to Thomas Jefferson, a woman that could give birth every two years would have
been more profitable than the best man on the farm. He said so to signify that a woman can
create more slaves and save the capital cost.
Female slaves either did labor or served as concubines for male slaves. Women would mostly
work on the fields but some slaves would also become nurses, midwives, tailors and house
cooks, etc. Women were also responsible to raise the children. Pregnant women were treated
better than other slaves for obvious reasons.
Women would retire at the age of 65 to 70 years. The owner would then either free the slave or
provide for her for the rest of her life.
At times, women would serve at plantations even after 70. They would become nurses or
midwives.

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