Slavery in Pre-Civil War Southern America May, 2014 | Page 3

Slavery for Men
Men, because of their physical stamina were suppressed even more than the women and were
kept in bondage at all times. When they were bought in the slave ships, they were kept tied up
below the deck. The men unlike women were prized for their health, strength and stamina and
were priced somewhere around a thousand or two thousand dollars on average. Their jobs
mostly comprised of hard labor. Few lucky ones became blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers,
and engineers and other skilled artisans. These people had more mobility chances than other
slaves. Because of their skills, they were able to earn money and then eventually purchase their
freedom. The men also retired at 65-70 years.
Within slavery, the African American men could not protect their spouse and therefore their
masculinity was suppressed, as the women were no longer dependent on the men. The male
slaves even had to see as their masters beat, whip and raped their wives. This only added to the
humiliation, because if they tried to defend their women, they might themselves be whipped or
even be separated from their wives.

Source:
http://www.researchomatic.com/how-and-why-female-slavery-differed-from-male-slavery-inthe-american-south-143427.html
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