Roles of Men, Women and Children in 17th Century Puritan Massachusetts

In 17th century puritan Massachusetts, the roles of men, women and children were very clearly defined. Men were the breadwinners, while women were responsible for taking care of the home and children. Children were expected to obey their parents and help with household chores.

While women didn't have the same legal rights as men, they did have a lot of power within the home. They were responsible for raising the children in a religious environment and teaching them the values and beliefs of the puritans. Women also played a key role in the community, often leading religious ceremonies and acting as moral authorities.

For men, the main goal was to provide for their families. This meant working hard at their jobs and making sure that the family had enough money to survive. Men were also responsible for teaching their children how to be good puritans and how to live by the puritan values.