Childhood+as+a+Puritan

**In Puritan society the main reason of education was to prepare children for Christian change by teaching them the right precepts and doctrines of Christianity. Schools of reading were established in 1647 because Puritans believe that "one child project of that old deluder, Satan" was "to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures. Children were considered half-saved through their parent's agreement with God. Through education furthering their faith and grace, they could become completely saved. Because children could not provide for themselves, Puritan Fathers were expected to provide for their children. Fathers could only be relieved of this duty if children were taught how to make a living. During early childhood, ** **[|Puritan children] ** ** were allowed to be playful, but by the age of seven they were often expected to perform some kind of important work. Girls began their training at household work at an early age while boys did chores of a general nature. A boy would often choose his occupation between the ages of ten and fourteen, usually with the help of his parents. It was assumed that God called a man to his occupation by giving him talents and liking toward it. They would then be apprenticed for about 7 years to learn their trade, or until the age of 21 if longer. Girls were also sent out to other families as servants to learn their skill as a housewife.  Many children learned to read, but most households owned only the Bible and other religious works—including a few that described evil spirits and witchcraft in great detail. There were a few books written for children, but these often warned against bad behavior and described the punishment that children would suffer for sinful acts.

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