Up until about the 1960's, "Bastardy" was an actual crime. "Illegitimate" children had almost no rights in American society. This would be fitting as the adultress apparently had a child as a result of her infidelity, and the child is likely how she got caught.
Bastardy was eventually done away with as it was finally recognized that it was a crime which punished a person who did not commit the act; why should a young innocent be punished for the parents' actions?
bastard?
ReplyDeletebaby?
Baby's mama's baby?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Bastard.
ReplyDeleteUp until about the 1960's, "Bastardy" was an actual crime. "Illegitimate" children had almost no rights in American society. This would be fitting as the adultress apparently had a child as a result of her infidelity, and the child is likely how she got caught.
Bastardy was eventually done away with as it was finally recognized that it was a crime which punished a person who did not commit the act; why should a young innocent be punished for the parents' actions?