In order to examine women’s status and life in a Puritan society in the New World, we first have to know why people left their native country. Marilyn J. Westerkamp tries to give some reasons in her book Women and Religion in Early America: In the early sixteenth century the Reformation arrived in England (3) and in the following decades a Puritan culture developed. A website1 tells us that in its core a description of man’s direct relationship to God could be found and that thus no one needed a priest to contact God.
At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Puritan movement was attacked by Anglican bishops so that a few tried to flee. When Charles І became monarch, a tendency of being less tolerant towards Puritan clerics grew; as a result of this many influential Puritans were arrested. Due to the fact that under the reign of this king numerous ceremonies were formalized and made more complex, the Puritans felt that religious ceremonies became artificial and thus their dissatisfaction grew. From 1628 on, they started to think of emigration to escape the monarch’s control (Westerkamp 13).
English Puritans founded in April 1630 a colony in the New World, called New England. Westerkamp calls this community, which was built in the wilderness, a “holy experiment”. As New England was created with the help of England, but without an interference of the monarch (Westerkamp 14), it was possible to develop the colony independently from the oversea’s monarchy. In this “experiment” as many women as men were involved and due to the direct contact between God and the individual, religious power could be given to anybody (Westerkamp 11). Therefore the status and the role of a woman might differ to that in England.

Excerpt

I. Introduction
II. Marriages
III. The Status of a Woman in a Puritan Family
- III.1 The Typical Respective Roles
- III.2 Becoming a little bit more Independent
IV. The Position of Women in a Religious Context
- IV.1 Equality on the surface
- IV.2 Religion Ordered by Gender
- IV.3 Religion Ordered by Education
V. Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This work aims to examine the status and lives of women within 17th-century Puritan society in the New World. It explores the societal factors that shaped their roles and experiences, considering both familial and religious contexts.

The influence of Puritan religious beliefs on gender roles.
The legal and social constraints faced by women in Puritan society.
The importance of marriage and family structures in shaping women's lives.
The expectations and responsibilities placed upon women within the household.
Limited avenues for women's independence within the rigid social hierarchy.

Chapter Summaries

I. Introduction: This chapter establishes the historical context for the study, exploring the reasons behind Puritan emigration from England to the New World in the early 17th century. It highlights the religious motivations driving the Puritans' search for religious freedom and independence from the Church of England and the monarchy, setting the stage for understanding the unique social dynamics that would shape the lives of women in this new colony. The chapter introduces key sources like Marilyn J. Westerkamp's "Women and Religion in Early America," establishing the groundwork for analyzing the subsequent chapters' exploration of women's roles within this "holy experiment."

II. Marriages: This chapter delves into the significance of marriage within Puritan society, citing Horton Davies' "The Worship of the American Puritans." It emphasizes the high marriage rate and the rapid remarriage after the death of a spouse, illustrating the societal pressure to be married. The chapter explains this societal imperative through both practical concerns about the vulnerability of single individuals and theological justifications rooted in the biblical concept of a "helper fit for him" from Genesis 2:18. This interpretation reinforced the patriarchal structure of Puritan society, where the wife's obedience to her husband was expected and explicitly stated in marriage vows. The chapter effectively demonstrates how religious doctrine and societal norms intertwined to define the marital roles and expectations for women.

III. The Status of a Woman in a Puritan Family: This chapter analyzes the position of women within the Puritan family structure. It emphasizes the legal subordination of women, who lacked independent legal personhood outside of marriage. Their property rights were controlled by their fathers and then their husbands, highlighting their economic dependence. The chapter connects this inequality to the Puritan concept of the "God of order," which dictated a hierarchical family structure with men holding dominant positions. The chapter uses Ann Woodlief's biography of Anne Bradstreet to illustrate the typical expectations of domesticity, childcare, spiritual guidance of servants and children, and food and clothing production placed upon women. Despite these limitations, the chapter notes that women were valued for their piety and obedience.

Keywords

Puritan society, women's status, gender roles, New World, 17th century, marriage, family structure, religion, legal constraints, social hierarchy, domesticity, piety, obedience.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Women in 17th-Century Puritan Society

What is the overall focus of this text?

This text examines the status and lives of women in 17th-century Puritan society in the New World. It explores how societal factors, particularly familial and religious contexts, shaped their roles and experiences.

What are the key themes explored in the text?

The text investigates the influence of Puritan religious beliefs on gender roles, the legal and social constraints faced by women, the importance of marriage and family structures, the expectations and responsibilities placed upon women within the household, and the limited avenues for women's independence within the rigid social hierarchy.

What topics are covered in the different chapters?

Chapter I (Introduction): Sets the historical context, focusing on the reasons for Puritan emigration and the religious motivations behind it. It introduces key sources for the study. Chapter II (Marriages): Explores the significance of marriage within Puritan society, emphasizing the high marriage rate and societal pressures. It connects this to practical concerns and theological justifications. Chapter III (The Status of a Woman in a Puritan Family): Analyzes women's position within the family structure, highlighting their legal subordination, economic dependence, and the expectations of domesticity. Chapter IV (The Position of Women in a Religious Context): (Details not provided in the summary). Chapter V (Conclusion): (Details not provided in the summary).

What sources are referenced in the text?

The text mentions several sources, including Marilyn J. Westerkamp's "Women and Religion in Early America" and Horton Davies' "The Worship of the American Puritans," as well as a biography of Anne Bradstreet.

What are the key takeaways regarding marriage in Puritan society?

Marriage was highly valued and essential in Puritan society. A high marriage rate and rapid remarriage after spousal death highlight the societal pressure to be married. Religious doctrine and societal norms reinforced patriarchal structures and defined marital roles, with wives expected to be obedient to their husbands.

How did Puritan religious beliefs influence women's roles?

Puritan religious beliefs significantly influenced gender roles. The concept of a hierarchical family structure, rooted in a "God of order," contributed to women's legal subordination and limited opportunities for independence. While valued for piety and obedience, women held a subordinate position within the family and society.

What were the legal and social constraints faced by women?

Women lacked independent legal personhood outside of marriage. Their property rights were controlled by their fathers and husbands, highlighting their economic dependence. These constraints were reinforced by both legal frameworks and social norms.

What were the typical roles and expectations for women within the Puritan family?

Women were expected to manage the household, raise children, provide spiritual guidance to servants and children, and produce food and clothing. These domestic responsibilities reflected their subordinate role within the patriarchal family structure.

What were the limitations on women's independence?

Women faced significant limitations on their independence due to legal constraints, societal expectations, and the rigid social hierarchy. Opportunities for autonomy were extremely limited within this structure.

What keywords are associated with this text?