Sexual Misconduct in Puritan America

Introduction:
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.
Instructions
In this assignment you will examine the aspects of gender relationships and sexual deviance in Puritan
New England. You are required to write a examining your choice of potential questions,
derived from the sources provided.

find the cost of your paper

Sample Answer

Gender Relationships and Sexual Deviance in Puritan New England

The Puritans were a religious group that migrated to New England in the 17th century. They were known for their strict religious beliefs, which included a strong emphasis on sexual morality. However, despite their strict beliefs, the Puritans were not immune to sexual deviance.

There were a number of factors that contributed to sexual deviance in Puritan New England. One factor was the demographics of the colony. The Puritans were a small group of people, and they were often isolated from other communities. This isolation made it difficult to find suitable partners, and it also led to a lack of sexual outlets.

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.

This question has been answered.

Get Answer