Condition of women in the period between the American Revolution and the Civil War - Essay Example

Marriage Laws: Then and Now Lucy Stone is an interesting woman to study with regards to woman rights, particularly during the mid 1800's, a time when woman were afforded very few. The most interesting to note is the way she renounced the traditional marriage laws and norms of her time. She refused to follow and accept those marriage laws, because they essentially took away her independence as a person. The two quotes I chose deal with those laws and ideas Lucy Stone challenged, including one that has changed with time, and one that has stayed essentially the same.

The first quote I chose is one that was given to Lucy by her soon to be husband, Henry Blackwell. She had voiced concerns over the marriage to which he responded, "I wish, as a husband, to renounce all the privileges which the law confers upon me, which are not strictly mutual. Surely such a marriage will not degrade you, dearest" (Lewis, 1999). This quote deals with the marriage laws that were in place during the mid 1800's when Lucy and Henry were married. The laws took all the rights, property and identity away from the woman and gave them to the man.

They released a statement mutually protesting the laws that essentially robbed woman of their selfhood by stating, "The legal existence of the wife is suspended during marriage" (Lewis, 1999). They would not agree to any law that did not afford mutual benefits and power.Looking at the marriage laws of their time it is easy to see how things have changed. In virtually every civil and religious marriage ceremony performed today, unless the couple have written their own vows, the vows exchanged are identical.

That was not the case at the time that Lucy Stone was married. Had she agreed to said laws, she would have lost any rights she had as an individual, and would essentially be the property of her husband. Those laws have been significantly altered over time, so now those couples entering into the marriage union are specified as equal, and their holdings and rights are mutual.The second quote was from Lucy to Henry just prior to their marriage when she wrote to him and said, "A wife should no more take her husband's name than he should hers.

My name is my identity and must not be lost" (Lewis, 1999). As part of the previous laws discussed, one provision also dictated that a woman take her husband's last name as he became her guardian at the time of the marriage. She is considered a "first", because she is the first woman in the United States to renounce this law and keep her own name, thereby preserving her own identity. In current times, though it may not be law, it is a custom that is still well practiced. Though, now it is practiced more for tradition and as a symbol signifying the union of marriage, it is still a common occurance.

Women these days certainly have the choice of whether or not to change their name, but far and wide it is against the "norm" for a woman not to change her name. A 2003 online survey in Wedding Bells Magazine revealed that only 6 per cent of the respondents from the United States were actually keeping their own last name. For a woman to change her name in current society certainly wouldn't be viewed as submission to her husband as it might of back then, but I have yet to hear of a man changing his name to a woman's, which may mean that the custom still is evolving.

So even while the meaning behind the custom may have progressed more towards woman's rights, the custom itself is still primarily intact today. Though marriage laws have evolved drastically over the last century and a half, some traditions remain the same. While woman enter into the union on equal level with the man, the custom of forfeiting their name and taking the mans is a custom that has continued to endure.ReferencesLewis, J.J. (1999, June 28). A Soul as Free as the Air: Profile of Lucy Stone.

[Online]. Available: http://womenshistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa062899.htm