Difference between revisions of "Week 3 Questions/Comments-327 09"
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After spending some time last week learning about the lifestyles of the Native American women, through the lense of the somewhat bias English colonists, '''I found it interesting this week to see that as the settlers faced certain unfamiliar obstacles in their new surroundings, they adapted to many of the Native Americans' way of life. It almost seems like once they had to roll their sleeves up and actually make a living for themselves here, they realized that at times-- women must tend the field, people must marry several times, and community networks become the heart of the social structure, all of which had been elements of Native American life that the colonists had previously thought to be unnatural.'''--[[User:Mturner|Mary Turner]] 17:44, 9 September 2009 (MDT) | After spending some time last week learning about the lifestyles of the Native American women, through the lense of the somewhat bias English colonists, '''I found it interesting this week to see that as the settlers faced certain unfamiliar obstacles in their new surroundings, they adapted to many of the Native Americans' way of life. It almost seems like once they had to roll their sleeves up and actually make a living for themselves here, they realized that at times-- women must tend the field, people must marry several times, and community networks become the heart of the social structure, all of which had been elements of Native American life that the colonists had previously thought to be unnatural.'''--[[User:Mturner|Mary Turner]] 17:44, 9 September 2009 (MDT) | ||
| − | What connects these pieces are the issues of morality and religion. These works reflect how morality and religion affected the family/household (Wadsworth and Wesley), law (Bailey) and daily life/work. Issues of morality and religion play a part in our lives today, but not nearly as much. Today we must abide by very secular and rigid institutions of government and education. For Colonial woman however, religion and issues of morality were the dominant institution. It affected their daily lives. Gender for them was not something recognized by law, but rather recognized by the bible. For some, this led to relatively better conditions. For others, harsher standards of living and a longer path to legal and societal equity. – Natalie Weiner | + | '''What connects these pieces are the issues of morality and religion.''' These works reflect how morality and religion affected the family/household (Wadsworth and Wesley), law (Bailey) and daily life/work. Issues of morality and religion play a part in our lives today, but not nearly as much. Today we must abide by very secular and rigid institutions of government and education. For Colonial woman however, religion and issues of morality were the dominant institution. It affected their daily lives. Gender for them was not something recognized by law, but rather recognized by the bible. '''For some, this led to relatively better conditions. For others, harsher standards of living and a longer path to legal and societal equity.''' – Natalie Weiner |
== Katherine Kish Sklar article, “To Use her as His Wife” == | == Katherine Kish Sklar article, “To Use her as His Wife” == | ||
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I agree with what LeAnn mentioned above- '''I did think it was interesting that Susanna thought that young girls should be taught to read before they learn skills such as sewing, etc. By placing an emphasis on education, I think she also might be reflecting some of the beliefs of the Puritan society in general. However, I am not sure if the Puritan emphasis on education and self-improvement applied just to males or to women and young girls, as well?''' Susanna Wesley's statement, certainly, makes it seem as if this belief and value was extended to women, as well- but '''I am not sure if the Wesley family was an exception or reflective of the greater society as a whole.''' I also wonder about the role of region in influencing educational practices- '''did the southern colonies place such an emphasis on educating males (and perhaps females, as well), or was their focus more on commercial production, etc.? I think Susanna's statement brings up questions not only of gender roles and expectations but also the influence of geography and location.''' - Allison Godart | I agree with what LeAnn mentioned above- '''I did think it was interesting that Susanna thought that young girls should be taught to read before they learn skills such as sewing, etc. By placing an emphasis on education, I think she also might be reflecting some of the beliefs of the Puritan society in general. However, I am not sure if the Puritan emphasis on education and self-improvement applied just to males or to women and young girls, as well?''' Susanna Wesley's statement, certainly, makes it seem as if this belief and value was extended to women, as well- but '''I am not sure if the Wesley family was an exception or reflective of the greater society as a whole.''' I also wonder about the role of region in influencing educational practices- '''did the southern colonies place such an emphasis on educating males (and perhaps females, as well), or was their focus more on commercial production, etc.? I think Susanna's statement brings up questions not only of gender roles and expectations but also the influence of geography and location.''' - Allison Godart | ||
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| + | As Allison mentioned, this letter also made me wonder about the status of female education outside of Puritan New England, and I also wondered if Susanna Wesley's emphasis on making sure girls could read well was unique to her household or something that was practiced throughout Puritan society. As some other people have mentioned, I found the contrast between S. Wesley's position on educating women and her attitude towards physical punishment and breaking children's spirits very interesting. There are certainly portions of her letter that sound like good common sense guidelines for child-raising, such as rewarding a child for demonstrating obedient intentions, or not punishing them for the same thing twice. Other aspectss of the letter really bothered me however, particuarly the section that recommended teaching children to fear the rod by the time they were a year old so that they would learn to cry softly. In modern society I am fairly certain that would be called child abuse, and even in historical context I think I was bothered by that remark because of the contrast with some of Susanna's other suggestions. At the end of the letter I was left with one final question: Susanna Wesley stresses the importance of girls learning to read, but mentions nothing about writing. Would she have taught her daughters to write and read, or was reading only seen as important so that they would be able to read the Bible?- Melissa Patterson | ||
'''One thing to keep in mind is that Susanna Wesley rules may not have reflected that of the majority of people living in England at the time. The reading says that she is from a place called Lincolnshire, from which many Puritans migrated.''' I think that her "rules" made sense for her particular lifestyle, but I also think that some of the ideas that Wesley, and the Puritans were indoctoring into their children may not have been condusive to the mission of colonization. '''After all, at a time when people are trying to settle a new area, and are faced with unfamiliar lands, it seems that for practical purposes they should have encouraged free thinking, imagination, and ingenuity from their youth.''' --[[User:Mturner|Mary Turner]] 17:55, 9 September 2009 (MDT) | '''One thing to keep in mind is that Susanna Wesley rules may not have reflected that of the majority of people living in England at the time. The reading says that she is from a place called Lincolnshire, from which many Puritans migrated.''' I think that her "rules" made sense for her particular lifestyle, but I also think that some of the ideas that Wesley, and the Puritans were indoctoring into their children may not have been condusive to the mission of colonization. '''After all, at a time when people are trying to settle a new area, and are faced with unfamiliar lands, it seems that for practical purposes they should have encouraged free thinking, imagination, and ingenuity from their youth.''' --[[User:Mturner|Mary Turner]] 17:55, 9 September 2009 (MDT) | ||
