Women and Families of Puritan Society Essay - 613 Words

Woman and family roles are considerably different today than they were back in Puritan times. Puritans thought that the public’s foundation rested on the â€Å"little commonwealth†, and not merely on the individual. The â€Å"little commonwealth† meant that a father’s rule over his family mirrored God’s rule over creation or a king over his subjects. John Winthrop believed that a â€Å"true wife† thought of herself â€Å"in [weakness] to her husband’s authority.† As ludicrous as this idea may appeal to women and others in today’s society, this idea was truly necessary for colonies to be able to thrive and maintain social order. Marriage in Puritan society was more of a contract than a religious sacrament. Daughters were married at a very young age in order†¦show more content†¦Although women did have many responsibilities at home they were limited to these duties, and their status in New England society was not v ery insignificant. During this time women were expected to be seen and not heard. Like many people in society, women were not permitted to vote and had no right to question church policy. Women who tried to receive some power were exiled, like Anne Hutchinson, or in the late 1600s were suspected of witchcraft. To some degree, women in New England did enjoy better legal protections than the women of England. For example, New England women had more of a chance to break off unsuccessful marriages. Nevertheless, they endured the same legal injustices as Englishwomen. Unless a husband agreed to a prenuptial agreement giving her power of land she already possessed, a wife had no property rights separate of her husband. Also, a widow was only allowed 1/3 of her husband’s assets if he died without heirs or instructed so in a will. Even though the position of women may be seen as unfair or unacceptable today it was needed to keep order in Puritan society. The standard of obedience pl aced upon women and others such as Native Americans and Africans permitted some chosen few of the colonies to organize a set of rules and structuralize the colonies so that they maybe able to progress. Without this progress colonies would not have been able to form into the country it is today. Not to mention, because men have held dominantShow MoreRelatedRoles Of The Puritan Society1137 Words   |  5 Pagesof the Puritan Society Puritans were English Protestants who were committed to â€Å"purifying† the Church of England. After being religiously persecuted in England, the Puritans fled to North America to start their new beginning. The Puritans maintained their Protestant beliefs with a patriarchal family. Their family roles differed from other colonists that settled in America. In my paper, I will describe the different roles that were established in the Puritan society. 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