Many of the social features of the Massachusetts Bay Colony are deeply rooted in religion because of the colony's overwhelming devotion to the Puritan faith. This lead to many social norms developing around or based on religion. There was next to no privacy because the Puritans believed that it was their duty to watch over each other make sure that everyone was doing the right thing. For example, in their homes, there would be no walls, just one big room, to allow for everyone to be seen at all times. With little toleration for deviation, people would be shamed for not following the social norms put forth by the church and established by men of the household (1).
Most of the social aspects of the Puritan society revolved around the Family Unit. The Family Unit comprised of one father, one mother, and six children per family, and every person was expected to participate due to the fact that this was a form of social control. With a low mortality rate and a life expectancy of around 70 years, men usually got married at around the age of 27 and woman at the age of 22. Marriage was not like how it is today, it was more of a contract that benefited the man over the woman. Men were supposed to support the family and be the head of the household, although they still were expected to report to the priest. They were expected to watch the household with an all seeing eye and rule with an iron hand to keep the family in order. The women were supposed to be obedient and serve the man of the household while also taking care of the children (1).
Most of the social aspects of the Puritan society revolved around the Family Unit. The Family Unit comprised of one father, one mother, and six children per family, and every person was expected to participate due to the fact that this was a form of social control. With a low mortality rate and a life expectancy of around 70 years, men usually got married at around the age of 27 and woman at the age of 22. Marriage was not like how it is today, it was more of a contract that benefited the man over the woman. Men were supposed to support the family and be the head of the household, although they still were expected to report to the priest. They were expected to watch the household with an all seeing eye and rule with an iron hand to keep the family in order. The women were supposed to be obedient and serve the man of the household while also taking care of the children (1).