Women, Family, and Utopia: Communal Experiments of the Shakers, the Oneida Community, and the Mormons (Utopianism and Communitarianism)
Lawrence Foster's 'Women, Family, and Utopia' examines the Shakers, Oneida Community, and Mormons' communal experiments. It explores how these groups reimagined family structures, women's roles, and social organization in pursuit of utopian ideals, offering a comparative look at their historical impact.
About This Book
This book delves into the utopian and communitarian movements of the 19th century, focusing on the Shakers, the Oneida Community, and the Mormons. It highlights their innovative approaches to communal living and family organization.
Lawrence Foster analyzes the roles of women within these groups, showing how they challenged traditional family norms. The Shakers emphasized celibacy and equality, while the Oneida Community practiced complex marriage.
The Mormons developed polygamy as a path to spiritual growth, fostering large communal families. Foster's work provides a comparative perspective on these experiments' successes and challenges.
Through historical analysis, the book reveals the tensions between idealism and practicality in utopian societies. It offers valuable insights into American religious and social history.
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