The greatest threat to slave family stability was the systemic and institutional nature of slavery itself. Enslaved individuals were considered property and were bought and sold, with no legal rights or protections. Families were routinely separated as slave owners bought and sold enslaved individuals, leading to a constant and uncertain threat of separation. Enslaved individuals were often subjected to brutal punishments and violence, which had a profound and lasting impact on family structures and relationships. Additionally, the lack of control over their own lives and the constant fear of being forcefully separated from their loved ones created immense stress and uncertainty within slave families, further destabilizing their stability.
