Editing Puritans (section)

=== Family life ===
[[File:The Snake in the Grass or Satan Transform'd to an Angel of Light.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|''The Snake in the Grass or Satan Transform'd to an Angel of Light'', title page engraved by [[Richard Gaywood]], {{Circa|1660}}]]
Based on Biblical portrayals of [[Adam and Eve]], Puritans believed that marriage was rooted in procreation, love, and, most importantly, salvation.{{sfn|Porterfield|1992|p=82}} Husbands were the spiritual heads of the household, while women were to demonstrate religious piety and obedience under male authority.{{sfn|Norton|2011|p=91}} Furthermore, marriage represented not only the relationship between husband and wife, but also the relationship between spouses and God. Puritan husbands commanded authority through family direction and prayer. The female relationship to her husband and to God was marked by submissiveness and humility.{{sfn|Porterfield|1992|p=81}}

[[Thomas Gataker]] describes Puritan marriage as:

{{blockquote|... together for a time as copartners in grace here, [that] they may reigne together forever as coheires in glory hereafter.{{sfn|Johnson|1970|p=93}}}}

The paradox created by female inferiority in the public sphere and the spiritual equality of men and women in marriage, then, gave way to the informal authority of women concerning matters of the home and childrearing.{{sfn|Ulrich|1976|p=37}} With the consent of their husbands, wives made important decisions concerning the labour of their children, property, and the management of inns and taverns owned by their husbands.{{sfn|Demos|1970}} Pious Puritan mothers laboured for their children's righteousness and salvation, connecting women directly to matters of religion and morality.{{sfn|Saxton|2003|p=82}} In her poem titled "In Reference to her Children", poet [[Anne Bradstreet]] reflects on her role as a mother:

{{blockquote|I had eight birds hatched in one nest; Four cocks there were, and hens the rest. I nursed them up with pain and care, Nor cost nor labour I did spare.}}

Bradstreet alludes to the [[temporality]] of motherhood by comparing her children to a flock of birds on the precipice of leaving home. While Puritans praised the obedience of young children, they also believed that, by separating children from their mothers at adolescence, children could better sustain a superior relationship with God.{{sfn|Ulrich|1976|p=35}} A child could only be redeemed through religious education and obedience. Girls carried the additional burden of Eve's corruption and were [[Catechesis|catechised]] separately from boys at adolescence. Boys' education prepared them for vocations and leadership roles, while girls were educated for domestic and religious purposes. The pinnacle of achievement for children in Puritan society, however, occurred with the conversion process.{{sfn|Saxton|2003|p=82}}

Puritans viewed the relationship between master and servant similarly to that of parent and child. Just as parents were expected to uphold Puritan religious values in the home, masters assumed the parental responsibility of housing and educating young servants. Older servants also dwelt with masters and were cared for in the event of illness or injury. African-American and Indian servants were likely excluded from such benefits.{{sfn|Demos|1970|pp=107–117}}