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 analyzed 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.
| ISBN: | 9780415948609 |
| Publication date: | 15th August 2004 |
| Author: | Else L Hambleton |
| Publisher: | Routledge an imprint of Taylor & Francis Ltd |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 212 pages |
| Series: | Studies in American Popular History and Culture |
| Genres: |
Regional / International studies History Gender studies, gender groups |