Question

What does William Gouge characterize as the ideal status for women within the institution of marriage? Does Gouge envisage any exceptions to his circumscribed rule? Yes or no? Explain.

Answer 1

William Gouge a Puritan teacher and aa clergyman, through his book "Domestically Duties" (1622), promoted patriarchy. According to him, the status of women in the institution of marriage is under the authority of men. Women in the role of wife should be submissive to their husbands, they should abandon the idea that they are at equals with the husbands, and refrain from having ambitions for their life. Its their duty to look after their husbands and children to their best.

The circumscribing rules of Gouge were as restrictive regarding the rights for women as any other rules of that time, they were not different or envisaged any good for women except that Gouge advised the men to be more lenient towards their wife and wanted them to controlled by love and wisdom regarding the matters of family. Still the rules of Gouge gave women a secondary and subordinate position in the family and the society, and wanted them to be under the dominance of their men.