Puritan Childhood During The 16th Century

Puritan childhood was far from perfect. Childhood was looked at in negative terms during the 16th century. Young children were viewed as animalistic, not able to speak, impulsive, and unformed (Mintz, 2004). Puritans didn't believe in childhood as being a time to indulge in play and leisure (Mintz, 2004). Play was viewed as a “sinful waiste of time” (Mintz, 2004). It was a time where Puritan children were to be prepared for the adult world of work and salvation (Mintz, 2004). Puritan childhood was not sentimintalized (Mintz, 2004). The Puritans viewed their childs mind as being an empty slate, where it's the parents job to introduce knowledge through precise guidance and education (Moran & Vinovskis, 1985). There was no such thing as having …show more content…
Puritans believed that their children were not perfect and that they could improve on their imperfections and should do so (Macleod, 1993). Puritans are misrepresented as parents who are controlling and harsh (Mintz, 2004). They were controlling because they loved their children deeply and at times this love was higher than god (Moran & Vinovskis, 1985). Puritan parents' are aware of their childrens special nature and with being a miniority, they strive to maintain their children's values (Mintz, 2004). It was important to the Puritans for their children to be the best versions of themselves because they represent the Puritans future. Puritan childrearing was functionally appropriate to the wider Puritan culture (Demos, 1971). What this means is the Puritans use of childrearing was done in a way that (a) served a function; to control the child and (b) was suitable to their culture; to end a child's sin. Puritans controlled their childrens lives in order to give them a better, Christian life (Forehand & McKinney, 1993). Puritans weren't always out to be mean to their children, but wanted them to be prepared and to be one with God. The surroundings of Puritan children as they grew, were intimate and warm (Demos, 1971). Puritans were also close to their children. The Puritans were the first to reflect on the …show more content…
Religion was used to put fear into the children, to keep them from sin. Religous training consisted of discipline. According to Mintz, 2004, a puritan's childhood was surrounded by religion. “Children are brought up in a spirit close to that advocated by the early Puritans, enjoined to self-denial, obedience and conformity to the rules of church and township; and above all, recognition of their own sinfulness and inadequacy” (Thompson, 1984). As soon as a baby was born, the infant was surrounded by prayer and psalm singing (Mintz, 2004). Childhood was filled with religious beliefs (Mintz, 2004). Puritans believed that childhood was a crucial time to save a child's soul (Mintz, 2004). At the early age of two weeks old, infants are baptized by their fathers (Mintz, 2004). According to Puritan doctrine, infants that died before being baptized, were subjected to torment in hell for eternal life (Mintz, 2004). “Discipline was guided by a Puritan religious belief” (Forehand & McKinney, 1993). Puritans believed that if their children disobeyed, they would be condemned by God, so it was important to always obey, in order to have salvation (Dupper, 2010). The Puritans use of punishment is connected with the Bible. Proverbs 23:13-14 states, “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.” (Dupper, 2010). Puritans believed that punishment in any