To some degree, this new relative poverty of females is caused by legal statutes favoring guys, in particular earliest sons. In the event the proprietor off a household property-the family home and you will places and you may income from brand new residential property-died intestate, the rule out of primogeniture applied: the latest oldest son inherited the household home. Regarding the absence of children, otherwise regarding male children, collateral loved ones, always men, in check regarding seniority, handed down new property. Primogeniture is new code used in the event an excellent landowner passed away intestate. However in many cases members of the family properties devolved, not from the legislation out-of intestacy but based on wills or agreements. An absolute manager of possessions did not have to help you prefer their earliest son or any other men interactions for the a may however, will performed so. The intention of favoring the new oldest child, either from the applying of regulations regarding primogeniture or because of the wills or settlements, were to remain friends locations undamaged and without heavy debt to support other loved ones.
Austen suggests the way the tradition of staying family possessions together by the bequeathing they into oldest child, instead of splitting up the house to take care of the, remaining women in types of susceptible to the fresh new foundation out of the men family members. (more…)