Sexuality In Colonial America

In the Colonial America time period, the understanding of sexuality within the colonies changed time after time. Each colony had their own set of beliefs as well as values in all aspects of life. More times than not, you understood the beliefs and values through the actions and behavior of each member within that colony. Within this Colonial America time period, New Spain, New England and New France all used their religious beliefs to form as well as enforce laws and regulations towards each gender for all members of the community to obey. At the time of settlement New England, New Spain, and New France wanted the land Native Americans and Indians had claimed. In order for the three colonies to take over or settle on the same land as the Natives
New England stressed the men overall power within marriage more than the women. The English strongly believe that marriage was more about power and gender roles within the colony than seeking a relationship with outside natives (English). Within the English colony, they enforced the understanding that men held most of the power with the Puritan society. Within a marriage, the men were known as the household leader, while the women just are seen as entitled to their husbands (English). While women in the English colony were seen as property in a way, they had little to no freedom like the Spanish and French women did. Although all three colonies saw marriage in a different light, they each enforced laws and norms that each gender would have to obey
In all three colonies, the women were stressed to be a community model and helper. The women lived to follow the men since they were considered the imperfect version of men (Brown, 82). Women were encouraged to maintain the household while also encouraging the development of faith and moral values (Shannon). Women throughout all colonies never had the primary power of the community however the men did. The men were considered to have had the hard jobs. Men were known as the educated property owners whose goals was to maintain a family while seizing for more social power (Shannon). Gender roles are more different then they are the same in comparison to all the colonies. Men were seen as the superior while women were the controlled citizens. Although the work and ideal image of each gender are different they each have one goal in the community. Both genders are trying to create structure throughout the community while also trying to gain more