How did Spartans treat women and children?

Spartan women were amongst the best treated in the Ancient world. They were of equal stature to men and did not have to do any work throughout their whole lives. Their sole purpose was to exercise (in order to bear strong children) and to keep the state under control whilst the men were at war (remember that the helot population heavily outnumbered the Spartans).

In regards to children, they had to survive a harsh and tormenting life, but that in Spartans' eyes this was a necessary step to create the finest warriors of the ancient world.