The Misunderstood Reality of Gender Equality in Colonial America
Many often view colonial America through a lens of extreme patriarchal control, imagining women in a state of subjugation. However, the reality is far more nuanced and complex, especially in regions like New England, where women enjoyed more rights and opportunities than in many parts of the world at that time.
Physical Strength and Patriarchal Control
It is commonly believed that ancient prehistoric men dominated women because they could extinguish campfires by urinating on them. While this theory might seem amusing, the truth lies in more tangible advantages, such as physical strength and size. These attributes not only provided men with protective and agricultural advantages but also facilitated social control. As a congressman, my friend from high school attempted to demonstrate the inaccuracy of this theory by putting his body through extreme stress, which resulted in self-harm.
Historically, physical violence and threats of violence often induced compliant behavior. Law enforcement today understands this principle, employing less violent methods to control the populace. Handcuffs were invented, not just to reduce the physical exertion of law enforcement, but also to maintain order without causing severe physical injury.
In agrarian societies, the physical prowess of men facilitated tasks such as hunting, gathering, plowing, and digging. Advanced activities like butchering large mammals also benefited from their strength.
The German Kaiser Wilhelm famously articulated his views on the role of women with the phrase, "Kinder Küche Kirche" (Children, Kitchen, and Church). This quote has often been misconstrued as an oppressive statement, but it actually reflects the view that women should focus on domestic duties, with the implication that such activities should be kept to a minimum. Despite this misconception, the reality in colonial America was far from such oppressive views.
Gender Equality in Colonial America
Contrary to popular belief, colonial America, particularly in New England, saw a more equitable distribution of rights and responsibilities between genders. Women were often taught to read in order to read the Bible, a practice that contributed to literacy rates among women being among the highest in the world at that time. In Puritan New England, it was considered a criminal act for a husband to neglect his wife's sexual needs.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his novel The Scarlet Letter, portrays the stigma and punishment for adultery. However, it is important to note that the punishment he describes, hanging, was a significant improvement over the previous legal provision in Roman law, which allowed men to kill any man who had slept with their wife. Similarly, in Anglo-Saxon law, men had the authority to kill any man who had consorted with their wives.
The pervasive law in England regarding adultery cases was eventually given to the church to litigate until 1857. This suggests that, while there were significant discrepancies in women's legal rights, New England was relatively progressive compared to other parts of the world.
The Myths Surrounding Witch Burning
Another common misconception is the prevalence of witch burning in colonial America. In reality, this practice was rare and isolated, primarily occurring in Europe. In New England, witch burning was a one-off incident of mass hysteria that claimed 15 lives, but none were burned to death, a practice that was often considered a harsher form of execution.
On the other hand, the Puritans in New England were quite innovative in their approach to governance. They extended the right to vote to all men, a significant step in democratic representation. In England at the time, voting rights were confined to the wealthiest men, often based on outdated land deeds.
New England during the Puritan era can be hailed as one of the most democratic regions in the world, where for the first time in history, a broad base of males had the right to vote. The voting rights were often tied to land ownership, but the principle of civic engagement was revolutionary for the time.
Conclusion
While there were significant patriarchal tendencies in colonial America, particularly in certain regions, the reality is that women in New England enjoyed greater rights and opportunities than in many other parts of the world at that time. Factors such as literacy rates, legal protections, and democratic representation all contributed to a more equitable society by today's standards. Understanding the true historical context helps dispel myths and reveals the complexities of gender equality during this period.