The family was the basic unit of American society. In the country, everyone in the participated in the chores of the farm. In towns, women and children often joined men in working in the family store or family business. In addition, women had responsibility over raising the children and running the household. Children were usually put to work at a young age. Even families that spent the day apart would meet for meals. Ordinary evenings were often spent at home together. Divorce was rare, although there were a number of unwed mothers who had to depend on their families for support or try to support themselves in a hostile society.