The New World Times

Life of a Puritan Family

By Hannah M.

     Family life for a  Puritan  is very difficult but it allows them the freedom they need to practice their religion.

     The Puritan society expects families to follow their religious teachings, raise their children to meet ideals, to work hard, to not be different, and live by the Puritan ideals. In the Puritan way of life there are clear ideas that all Puritan families are to be the same.

Religion

     The Puritans have come to the New World so they can practice their religion freely. They practice their religion constantly because the Puritans believe that God is always watching their every move. The Puritans think that anything bad that happens is a result of their wrong doing. The only church is in Salem Town. The people of Salem Village have to walk two to three hours and that is if the weather is  good. Sundays are the days that Puritans come to attend all day church services. Sunday begins with a three-hour church service, then a lunch break, and then another service for two hours. In Puritan culture skipping church is not permitted and those who do are punished. In the life of a Puritan child religion is one of the main parts of their life.

Children

    The Puritan children are brought up in households with many other siblings, half and step siblings, and children of relatives who have passed. All babies are considered sinful and it is their parents job to see that they were taught good behavior. Babies use special cradles to make sure that they will walk right when they get older. The children do not have much free time and even when they do they are limited to a few options. They can play with toys, but they can not have contests, dance, or sing, except for hymns. Children are around seven when they start to work. Girls learn from their mothers how to garden, cook, clean, sew, and take care of younger siblings. Boys assist their fathers in their work. It is important that Puritan children are raised religiously, therefore it is the parents responsibility to teach them how to pray, read the bible, and help explain the sermons. The children are also taught this at school.

Schools

     Puritan children attend school regularly. The schoolhouse is a cramped and uncomfortable place to learn. The children sit on backless hard benches with desks in front. The schoolmaster is feared by all the children because they will be physically punished for acting out in class or for giving an incorrect answer. Children mainly learn to read in school as writing and arithmetic are viewed as not as important. They are taught to read because all Puritans must be able to read the bible. Children learn to read and write using hornbooks and primers. A hornbook book is a sheet with the alphabet printed inside a wooden paddle. A primer is for more advanced students to practice their reading. Aside from school marriage is also a big part in a Puritan person’s life.

Marriage

    Puritan weddings are simple affairs. The wedding often happens in the bride’s home where the couple is joined by a town official rather than a minister. In Puritan households the husband runs the family and it is the wife’s job to take care of the children, clean, cook, and sew. Men exercise power while women have none. The men take care of all financial and legal issues although the woman do help occasionally when the men are  away.

     Life is difficult for Puritan families and children. The expectations for families are intense: work is required at young ages, religion is practiced all day, punishments are given frequently, and power is only given to one gender. Due to the fact that the Puritans are so deeply religious anyone who differs is a threat to their religion. Speaking ill of the church or any idea challenging the church is considered heresy. As a result, some of these families will be torn apart as some are accused of witchcraft and others are the accusers.  The witchcraft trials can tear families apart. If a family member is accused they will be taken away and more often than not they are killed for being a “witch.” Those who do the accusing are despised by the remaining members of that family.

     In conclusion, Puritan family life is difficult even though they are allowed to practice their religion freely.  Their life become even more difficult as the witch trials start.