How did the traditional family structures influence the responsibilities of girls in rural Mallorca?

In rural Mallorca, traditional family structures have historically played a significant role in shaping the responsibilities of girls. Typically, families were organized around patriarchal systems where men were the primary breadwinners, while women were expected to manage the household and care for children. Girls, often expected to help their mothers from a young age, were responsible for domestic chores such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of younger siblings, which prepared them for future roles as wives and mothers.

Education for girls was often secondary to household duties, and in many cases, their schooling would end early to allow for greater support in managing the home. Furthermore, in agricultural settings, girls also participated in farm work, contributing to planting, harvesting, and caring for livestock, thereby intertwining their domestic and economic roles. The influence of Catholicism in Mallorca also reinforced traditional gender roles, promoting ideals of femininity that emphasized piety, service, and familial duty.

Thus, the intersection of family obligations, economic needs, and cultural values led to a defined set of responsibilities for girls, which reflected and perpetuated the existing social norms of rural Mallorcan society.