Like always, girlhood and womanhood were shaped by a complex interplay of societal norms, cultural practices, and economic conditions. Urban girls usually had more opportunities for education and social engagement, while rural girls were often more isolated and had greater responsibilities on family farms or in household chores.

Ethnicity also played a significant role, with Native American, African American, and European American girls experiencing vastly different social and cultural contexts. Native American girls, for instance, often participated in communal activities and played integral roles within their tribes, while African American girls faced the harsh realities of slavery and its attendant restrictions on education and autonomy.

In general, formal education for girls was limited compared to boys. However, there were some opportunities for girls to receive education, particularly in urban areas and among affluent families. In urban centers, girls from wealthier families might attend private academies, where they could learn basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as subjects like needlework, music, and etiquette. These schools typically focused on preparing girls for their roles as wives and mothers. Additionally, some girls had access to education through church-sponsored schools or charity schools, which provided basic instruction to children from lower-income families.

However, in rural areas and among poorer families, formal education for girls was scarce. Schools were few and far between, and many girls received their education at home, learning practical skills from their mothers or other female relatives. 

The American Revolution brought about significant changes in gender roles as women and girls were called upon to assume new responsibilities and roles traditionally reserved for men. One of the most common ways girls and women supported the revolution was through domestic activities such as managing households, farms, and businesses in the absence of their male relatives. Moreover, girls and women played vital roles as nurses, tending to the wounded and providing medical care to soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Some even actively participated in the war effort as spies, messengers, and even soldiers!