The Puritans were far from ideal. Peoples of the past must be measured against their backdrop. Aggrandization of deviancy has catastrophic consequences in our first world, 21st century plenty. The least bit of sexual licence in the period before Germ Theory was horrifying beyond comprehension. The Puritans saved themselves and others from rapine and agonizing death. The Puritans actually represented an advancement in regard and condition for women in the most important respects. All were expected to become literate in many Puritan communities in order to read the Bible and teach children. All women were expected to be more than bar maids and whores. I would say that they celebrated "Frugality" rather than "Poverty". The "Protestant Work Ethic" has lifted all of humanity out of the worst deprivation.