Social Norms
In the early 19th century, patriarchal was widely accepted in America. This meant that men were seen as the head of the household and had more power and authority than women. This was reflected in social customs such as:
- Women were expected to be subservient to their husbands and fathers
- Women were expected to stay at home and take care of the children
- Women were not allowed to vote or hold public office
- Women were not allowed to own property in their own name
- Women were not allowed to get a higher education
Laws
The laws of the time also reflected the subordinate status of women. For example:
- In most states, women could not get a divorce without their husbands' consent
- In most states, women could not keep their own earnings if they were married
- In most states, women could not make contracts in their own name
- In most states, women could not testify in court against their husbands
Economic Incentives
The economic incentives of the time also worked to keep women in the home. For example:
- Women were paid less than men for the same work
- Women were often denied jobs that were considered "too dangerous" or "too demanding"
- Women were often fired from their jobs when they got married or pregnant
As a result of these social norms, laws and economic incentives, women had a very limited role in American society in the early 19th century. They were expected to stay at home and take care of the children, and they had little power or authority outside of the home.