How did gender roles in Native American societies generally differ from those in European societies?

Native American societies often operated under matrilineal systems, which means that lineage and inheritance were traced through the mother rather than the father. This structure placed women in significant roles within their communities, giving them considerable responsibilities in agriculture, family decisions, and even political affairs in some tribes. In contrast, European societies, particularly during the early colonial period, typically followed patriarchal norms where men held primary power in both the public and private spheres, often relegating women to subservient positions with limited autonomy.

The emphasis on matrilineal systems in many Native American cultures showcased a different approach to gender roles, where women not only had substantial contributions to the economy and family structure but also participated in decision-making processes that were often limited for women in European societies. This distinction highlights the varying perspectives on gender and authority between the two cultural groups during the period of early contact and colonization.