Ahh the Puritans. They lived quite a lifestyle, didn’t they? And they made sure that their lifestyle was passed down from generation to generation. Children were born at nearly twice the rate in Maryland and Virginia than in the Southern Colonies. It is often said that New England invented grandparents, for it was here that people in great numbers first grew old enough to see their children bear children. Everyone wanted to have boys. Boys, Boys, Boys. It was believed that women who were pregnant with a male child had a rosy complexion and that women carrying a female child were pale. Names of women found in census reports of Massachusetts Bay include Patience, Silence, Fear, Prudence, Comfort, Hopestill, and Be Fruitful. I would not be able to live with a name like “Be Fruitful.”
For their wonderful children, they wanted the best education. The puritans are said to have started the first American Public Schools. Now, going to a public school now, I have respect for that. They promoted education and believed that everyone has the right to an education. The Puritans also formed the First American College. Guess what that was? Harvard. Now THAT’S an impact on society. Harvard is one of the most prestigious Universities and people work their whole lives just to get in.
I can’t imagine being a child growing up in Puritan society. There would be no room for fun or games. Any show of emotion, such as excitement, fear, or anger, was discouraged, and disobedience was severely punished, especially for boys. In many cultures now, its frowned upon when boys show emotion, for it shows weakness. Boys were allowed to go out and become carpenters or hunt and just be open in the world. Girls on the other hand, had to stay at home, cooking, cleaning, you know, the “women’s work.” Now, if you were to refer to that as women’s work, you’d get a slap right across the face. Some “macho men” think that it’s still the “women’s work,” but hey, times have changed. Thank GOODNES.
So, the Puritans. They lived a harsh lifestyle. And a lot of their lifestyle has either withered away or developed in something not as intense. As a teenager and a student, I can’t really say I’m ENTIRELY thankful for the existence of school. But to the Puritans, Thank you. Now I at least have the OPPORTUNITY to have an education(:
Puritans did have a lot to offer, all they really had to do was be a bit less harsh( well maybe more then a bit). They kinda went overboard with the punishments and rules though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Luis completely. Is it possible the Puritans named their children after good virtues almost always expressed in the Bible to ensure that they would act their name out to the fullest extent? And unfortunately, though times have changed immensely, it's still a "man's world", but with the right advancements, we'll be able to make it a "man-woman world" or a "woman world" (though I doubt the latter. Nice post :)
ReplyDeleteHahaa!! I love those names. I wish I was named Silence. And there's a song called Dear Prudence. But also, I think this obsession with the male gender is ridiculous. We're studying a lot about how patriarchy came into being, and there is just no logical reason for it. There's so much speculation and guesswork, and I wish it just never existed. Honestly, is there really a point?
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