The Role of Women as Shown through Marriage Law Essay

The Role of Women as Shown through Marriage Law - Essay Example As the essay declares women have always suffered a subjugated role in all societies from the beginning of civilization, surviving records from several ancient societies reveal that women are only just now surpassing the freedoms afforded them centuries ago. Although the women of ancient Sumeria didn’t have quite the same freedoms experienced by women of the modern world, a look back through the laws of Assyria and the Old Testament reveal a gradual tightening of restrictions placed on women in reaction to either political or theological threats, eventually leading to near drudgery status for most women through history’s most imbalanced periods. This paper discusses that marriage laws within this code are very specific regarding the rights of the woman being almost equal to the rights of the man. For example, the bride’s family had to agree to the marriage by accepting the bride-price from the groom’s family. That the girl was a valued member of society is indicated in that this bride-price, along with a dowry provided by her family, went with her into her new marriage and remained her property for life. Underscoring the value of the bride to her family is the idea that the bride is always a member of her father’s house, regardless of to whom or how long she has been married. The code of King Hammurabi also provided for near equal chance to divorce. When the man opted to divorce the woman, she retained custody of any children and he had to pay the ancient day equivalent of child support.