The Limits of Patriarchy: Women’s Rights and “Unwritten Law” in the West 1997 Presidential Address

It happens here too

“…Throughout history, the positioning of women as secondary to men was reflected in society by the fact that they often were allowed very few or no legal rights and could not act as autonomous individuals (Bakken, 1998;Brownmiller, 1975;Dow, 1996;Einsenstein, 1999;Kahlor & Eastin, 2011;Kouvo, 2008;van Zoonen, 1994). This legal constriction went beyond women not having the right to own property or have and use their own money (even if they earned it), but went as far as to not having the ability to take legal recourse over what happened to their bodies (Bakken, 1998;Brownmiller, 1975;Kahlor & Eastin, 2011). Research has pointed out that even the earliest rape legislation was introduced not for the woman's sake, but for her father's because her virginal "value" as a bargaining tactic in arranged marriages would decrease significantly after she was "deflowered" (Brownmiller, 1975).…”

“…For women, reproduction opens the door for discussions about remaining autonomous individuals allowed to make fundamental decisions about their bodies after they become pregnant (Brownmiller, 1975;Kahlor & Eastin, 2011;van Zoonen, 1994). Additionally, historical representations of being a daughter were also significant for women, since those who were unmarried would need to be identified through their fathers, since they had no rights on their own (Bakken, 1998;Brownmiller, 1975). Although these varied positions of power may not immediately come to mind today with familial roles, the historical implications remain relevant.…”