Daughters of Eve - More Information

This study examines cases of fornication, bastardy, and paternity cases brought before the courts in Essex County, Massachusetts between 1640 and 1692. Prosecution and conviction rates, sentencing patterns, and socio-economic data, as well as attitudes, were analysed to determine that women who bore illegitimate children were punished more severely than their male partners, and regarded with contempt by the majority of women. Couples who married following out-of-wedlock sex faced less opprobrium and were reintegrated into the community following a series of humiliating shame rituals.

Order an electronic Inspection Copy

Buy Printed Book

All Mobipocket & Microsoft eBooks are copy and print disabled. Adobe eBooks can be printed but not copied.

Click on an eBook format to add to cart.

Read about the eBook Formats.Buy Printed Book.

Table of contents : Acknowledgements
List of Tables
List of Figures
1. 'What for my Afflicted and Abased Family': The Regulation of Sexual Intercourse between Unmarried Persons in Essex County, Massachusetts, 1640-1685
2. 'By Reason of his Great and Constant Familiarity': Illegitimate Motherhood in Seventeenth Century Massachusetts
3. Dishonouring God and Massachusetts: Sociological Aspects of Illegitimacy
4. 'To the Great Grief of our Aged Parents': Pregnant Brides in Seventeenth Century Massachusetts
5. Playing the Rogue: Rape and Issues of Consent in Seventeenth Century Massachusetts
6. 'They are here more Discovered and Seen': Conclusions
Appendix A: Methodology
Appendix B: Review of the Literature
Appendix C: The Justice System
Bibliography