Like the Athenians, women had to have sons. Boys were taken from their mothers at the age of seven and placed under the control of Spartan leaders. The boys were taken to live in military camps and were "subjected to severe discipline to make them tough and given an education that emphasized military training and obedience to authority." For most of their lives, Spartan men lived in these camps and trained for combat. Once men turned 30, they were allowed to vote in an assembly. They could marry and live in their own home, but had to remain in military service until the age of 60. Spartan women, unlike Athenian women, had more control and power in society. Women, like men, contributed to physical activities because it was “thought that if both parents were strong, their children would be stronger ».