Previous to these types of acts being passed in the states, women had no right to handle the property she owned previous to the marriage or obtain any new property. Women could also not control their wages, create contracts, or file a lawsuit when married. Having no rights when in a marriage made women less willing to partake in it. Small changes, such as changing the rights of married women, have made relationships what they are today. The act stated three main points. The first included information about the property owned by the woman previous to the marriage. It stated that she would retain power of the property. The act states, “…shall continue her sole and separate property, as if she were a single female.” The second statement of the act says that the profits from any property are no longer controlled by the man. The third portion of this act says that a married woman may now inherit and be given property that solely belongs to her. These acts were specific to each state but wholly changed property rights of women. Although it was a small step, this was the beginning of women having more power and options in a relationship.
citation:Lewis, Jone Johnson. "Married Women's Property Act: 1848, New York State."
About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Jan. 2010.
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