Birth
     Until the 20th century, most births occurred in the home with the help of a midwife. 

Childhood
     Children were raised by the mother, who almost always stayed home to take care of them and the house.  In the early days, they did not go to school.  As the 19th century progressed, they would start attending the early grades, but often dropped out to work.  For the rural Cajun who planned to farm or rance for a living, it wasn't necessary to learn more than the basics.