Why were witchcraft accusations directed primarily at old women, especially widows, during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, witchcraft accusations were often directed at old women, especially widows, for a combination of reasons. These included societal hostility towards women who challenged traditional roles (A), the tendency to blame marginalized individuals for inexplicable events (B), beliefs about women's susceptibility to the devil due to perceived lustfulness (C), and resentment towards elderly widows as burdens on the community (D). All these factors contributed to the targeting of this demographic during witch hunts.

Why Were Witchcraft Accusations Directed Primarily at Old Women, Especially