Full Answer Section

Another factor that contributed to sexual deviance was the suppression of sexuality through religion. The Puritans believed that sex was only for procreation, and they condemned any form of sexual activity that was not for the purpose of having children. This suppression of sexuality led to a number of problems, including sexual frustration and marital discord.

As a result of these factors, there were a number of cases of sexual deviance in Puritan New England. These cases included adultery, fornication, and same-sex relations. The Puritans dealt with these cases severely, and they often punished offenders with fines, imprisonment, or even death.

Despite the strict punishments, sexual deviance continued to be a problem in Puritan New England. This suggests that the Puritans’ strict beliefs about sex were not enough to prevent people from engaging in deviant behavior.

Questions for Discussion

• What factors contributed to sexual deviance in Puritan New England?
• How did the Puritans deal with cases of sexual deviance?
• What were the consequences of sexual deviance in Puritan New England?
• How do the Puritans’ views on sex compare to our own views on sex?
• What can we learn from the Puritans’ experiences with sexual deviance?

Conclusion

The Puritans were a group of people who were deeply religious and who had strong beliefs about sex. However, despite their strict beliefs, the Puritans were not immune to sexual deviance. This suggests that the Puritans’ views on sex were not as black and white as we might think. They were human beings with desires and weaknesses, just like everyone else.

The Puritans’ experiences with sexual deviance can teach us a lot about ourselves. They can help us to understand the challenges of suppressing sexuality, and they can also help us to understand the consequences of sexual deviance. By learning from the Puritans’ experiences, we can hopefully avoid making the same mistakes in our own lives.