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.
