Significants of the Married Woman s Property Act Essays

Significants of the Married Woman s Property Act Essays Significants of the Married Woman s Property Act Essay Significants of the Married Woman s Property Act Essay What In your view was the short term significance of the Married Womens Property Acts In bringing about change in the domestic role of women? The Married Womens Property acts had many short term effects that changed characteristics of the domestic role of women. Previous to the first act in 1870, women had no legal identity separate from their husband. A womans role was seen as being in the home as the angel of the house, with middle class women having an almost ornamental role with little to no independence or control over their own finances. Women were seen as property and had no presence outside of their domestic sphere. In the short term, the MAP made marriages more companionable, and although this did not equate to equal division of domestic labor, it was a further move away from the angel in the house role where wives were seen to be sweet, selfless creatures that lived purely to serve their husbands. The win also provided a profound psychological effect on women, leading them to believe that they were more than this traditional, domesticated stereotype. This confidence lead to the demand for even more reforms and equality. One significant Impact In changing the domestic role of women was their ability after the act to have control ever their own finances. The 1 870 MAP allowed women to possession of their property and inheritance to the sum of IEEE, as opposed to it going straight to their husband. This control gave women the option of taking up hobbies which in turn introduced a more social aspect into the womans role outside of the home and domestic chores. An example includes cricket, which became a popular womens sport between 1880-90, especially in the middle classes where women would have needed to buy appropriate dress and equipment. Furthering this, it also allowed women to be able to shop by their own accord. This, In the most practical sense, meant that women were out of the house more and not focusing solely on household duties. The passing of the act showed female rights movements that It was possible to have their pollen heard In parliament and further showed the support within society for more equal treatment. This success moved women into more male dominated areas of the public sphere where previously they would have had no representation, even if it was still limited. The first MAP had little impact on liberating the lower class as being given property and inheritance of worth was a luxury. Furthermore the working classes were not seen as educated and there would have been no representative in parliament making sure the 1 us MAP was effecting their situation. A working class woman would still have been expected to perform all domestic duties plus working therefore It would not have greatly impacted the domestic role. The reform of the MAP In 1882 had a larger significance as It named women the sole owner of all their property and money. This meant any business or trade that a woman did before marriage could be continued with and all profits would remain with her. As the 1882 legislation detailed, So as to tenors Ana empower near to receive or transfer teen same, Ana to receive teen dividends, interest, and profits thereof, without the concurrence of her husband. Although upper class women very rarely worked, this was an incentive for middle class women to work, and was a great benefit for the lower class who often had their own businesses and trades, for example brewing beer and dressmaking. This continuation of work after marriage had an effect on the domestic role of women as it became more attractive and advantageous to have an occupation as well as being a housewife. Despite some changes, the short term domestic role of women was still intact in the sense that the home and children were still fully expected to be looked after or overseen by the woman of the house. Furthermore, the domestic role of women remained prevalent, despite it being mainly womens rights groups pushing for the act. The fact that the decision to pass the act was made by the all male parliament and voters proved that the idea still remained that domestic woman belonged in the home and the decision making was left to men. However this did somewhat mark a change in attitude towards womens roles as the cause had many influential male supporters such as John Stuart Mill, who believed the previous qualities were unfair. This, however, was undercut by the ulterior motives of many of the politicians, who didnt believe in the changing roles and Just wanted to compromise with women wanting the vote. This punch cartoon of John Stuart Mill pushing some men aside attempting to franchise votes for women shows many men thought was wrong (appendix 1). Alternatively, another reason for the opposition to Mills was so that men could protect their wealth from the men their daughters married, by ensuring it was still legally theirs and therefore kept in the family. In conclusion the Married Womens Property acts provided many positive short term effects integrating middle and upper class women into male dominated society and providing the means for the growth of interests and hobbies outside of the home.