Wool Spinning Life explores the central role of wool spinning in shaping family life, economic structures, and social hierarchies within historical pastoral societies.
This work illuminates not only the technical aspects of textile production but also the intricate web of family contributions that sustained this vital industry.
Readers will discover that wool spinning was more than just a cottage industry; it was a fundamental component of family economies and social fabrics.
Additionally, the book highlights how societal expectations influenced the gendered division of labor, with women, children, and men each playing distinct roles in the process.
The book adopts a bottom-up perspective, focusing on the family as the primary unit of analysis, thus offering a richer understanding of lived experiences.
It progresses by first introducing wool spinning techniques and their historical context.
Subsequent sections examine the gendered division of labor and the economic dimensions of wool spinning.
A final section analyzes the social impacts, including its role in shaping community identities and social hierarchies.
By delving into historical sources like census records and trade documents, the book paints a vivid picture of wool spinning's influence on social change.
