Exclusion of Women
In most societies that practiced primogeniture, women were not allowed to inherit land. This was because land was seen as a valuable resource that should be passed down to the eldest son, who would be responsible for continuing the family line. Daughters, on the other hand, were expected to marry and move to their husband's household. They would therefore not need land of their own.
As a result of this practice, women were largely excluded from controlling land. They could not own land in their own right, and they could not inherit it from their fathers or husbands. This made them dependent on men for their economic well-being.
Exclusion of Peasants
Primogeniture also served to exclude peasants from controlling land. This is because peasants were typically not landowners. Instead, they worked on the land of others, either as tenants or as serfs. They did not have the right to own land, and they could not pass it down to their children.
As a result of this practice, peasants were largely excluded from controlling land. They could not own land of their own, and they could not inherit it from their fathers. This made them dependent on landowners for their economic well-being.
Consequences
The exclusion of women and peasants from controlling land had a number of negative consequences. For women, it meant that they were economically dependent on men and had little say in their own lives. For peasants, it meant that they were subject to the whims of landowners and had little hope of improving their economic status.
The practice of primogeniture eventually declined in Europe, but its effects are still felt today. Women and peasants continue to be underrepresented in land ownership, and they continue to face discrimination in other areas of life.