Salem Witch Trials, Gender

As colonial Massachusetts began to recuperate from the recent world power Philips War, which ravaged though the majority of New England, another issuing was just around the corner. In the year of 1692 village rector Samuel Parriss daughter Betty and niece Abigail had contracted some sort of odd infirmity that numerous doctors could not categorize as a special(prenominal) illness or disease. As many doctors came through the townsfolk of Salem to take a look at the girls, integrity doctor boldly made the assumption the some persona of entrancecraft was responsible for these girls current state. It was due to this assumption that the witch hunt had begun, and 178 Massachusetts citizens were accused of using witchcraft or being a witch (Davidson & Lytle 42). Of these over 178 citizens three aside of four were female, which made this witch hunt a gender issue (Davidson & Lytle 42). It was evident during the Salem Witch Trials that more(prenominal) and more females were being targeted as opposed to males. The female community was being targeted on the grounds that society had deemed them inferior to the male population of colonial Massachusetts and thus they were easy targets for citizens to accuse them of performing witchcraft.
In the society of Massachusetts the female was thought of as partners and helpmates in marriage.



A marred wife was not allowed to debauch land, sell land, sue, or make contracts(Davidson & Lytle 43). Rights for widow womaned females were as well as horrendous, if they were go away a plot of land she was required to have and enjoy that plot

of land during term of her natural life (Davidson & Lytle 43). This also meant that the widow was not allowed to misuse the land because the land would be passed onto rising generations. Womens role in this Puritan society called for them to submit softly to the rule of men and to glory in subjection (Davidson & Lytle 44). This was also a main reason the female population seemed to be picked upon during the Salem Witch Trials, it was because their role in...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com



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