When one thinks of sex, the last thing that comes to mind were Puritans. Our assumptions about Puritan sexual habits would suggest a very repressed sexual appetite, which is correct. However, a combination of suppression of sexuality through religion, no outlet for sexual satisfaction and the demographics of the Puritan colonies led to deviance from the proscribed social norms. Today, our society seems plagued by social immorality, rising divorce rates, unwed mothers, adultery, and sex crimes. However, these things are not just products of our own times. We must remember that the Puritans were also normal people with desires and weakness.

In this assignment you will examine the aspects of gender relationships and sexual deviance in Puritan New England.

What crimes were worse in Puritan society? What are the most common and why?