Puritan Women In Early Colonial Times

A portion of society may say that puritanism was the foundation for nineteenth century feminism in America. With the increasing popularity of women’s studies and gender background the feminist outlook is becoming very popular in historical interpretation of the puritan woman’s experience. Although women in early colonial times had major roles in their everyday lives they enjoyed being busy mothers and wives. Living in a male assertive world while providing and caring for their relatives ladies were mistreated and under-appreciated. Puritan women had difficult lives; they lived in a male-dominated society, had few legal rights and many responsibilities. Living in a society dominated by males while fulfilling a puritan demeanor as a mother and spouse was demanding. Puritan clergymen promoted male supremacy and delivered sermons that the soul had two portions, a immortal masculine half and a mortal feminine half.

In the recently developed colonies laws were very comparable to the laws in England. Married women were not able to own property, conduct business, or sign contracts and their children belonged to their husbands. With acceptation women without a spouse due to death could possess property and maintain their own business. Marriage was forcefully encouraged and unwedded women were ridiculed. Puritans thought that Eve’s violation to God ,in the Bible, was an example of a woman’s weakness. They were also convinced females were more easily enticed , were tools of Satan and had sinful qualities. Ladies were not permitted to participate in town assemblies or decision making in the church. Puritan women came across more rebellious then men because they were held to higher standards by men . Rebellious women had proven to be unsympathetic on more than one occasion If girls had been allowed to carry out more of their own choice they would not have been so contrasting to