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Chapter 2

for marriage in the 1600s.Instead,when

children were old enough to marry,

property,religion,and family interests

were considered most important in the

choice of a spouse.Fathers in the 1600s

often kept their children dependent on

them for years in order to aid in family

production.This dependence occurred

because most grown children could not

fully establish their own independence

until they inherited land—and fathers

controlled the land (Mintz,2007a).

The Role of Women.For thePuritans,

patriarchalauthoritywasconsideredGod-

mandated.Patriarchalauthority isthe

belief men haveauthority over women and

children andareresponsiblefor their

behavior.Thespirit of thispatriarchal

authority isreflectedin thewritingsof the

great 17th-century poet John Milton:

“God’suniversallawgavetoman despotic

power over hisfemalein dueawe”(Milton,

2001).Despitetheexpectation of

submission,theroleof women often

extendedbeyondtheir expectedhousehold

dutiestoincludeworkingside-by-side

with men in thefield(Kulikoff,1986).

Women whowerenot submissivewere

labeled“witches,whores,andscolds”

(Brown,1996).Certain punishmentswere

designedespecially toforcewomen into

submission.

Women tolerated this subordinate role

because it was their only way to gain status

as adults.Despite the requirement to be

submissive to men,women were engaged

in trade and domestic production,and

sometimes even administered estates.

Their time was limited by domestic duties

and childcare; however,older daughters

and servants frequently assumed the tasks

of childcare,which freed the wife for other

“productive”functions.

Girls were socialized against strong

emotions,especially anger.Young girls

were taught to share themselves,their

time,and their possessions as preparation

for the role they would assume as a wife in

a tranquil marriage (Garrett,1990).All

children were taught the value of hard

work and obedience.

Theideaofpatriarchalauthoritybegan

toerodeasearlyasthelate1600samongthe

PuritansinNewEngland,butnotuntilthe

1700sinthemiddleandsoutherncolonies.

Thisisinpartduetobetterhealthinthe

Despite the expectation of submission, the role of women often

extended beyond their expected household duties to include

working side by side with men in the field.

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