Final answer:
In the 1800s, women were prevented by most state laws from serving on a jury. There were also more widespread legal restrictions on women's rights, including property ownership and voting. Women faced employment discrimination, were often paid less than men for the same work, and were encouraged to prioritize traditional domestic roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1800s, most states had laws that prevented women from serving on a jury. This was part of broader societal norms and legal restrictions that limited women's rights in various aspects of life. Women faced significant legal barriers, including the inability to own or control property, execute a will, vote until the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, and much later, to be paid equally for equal work. Before the mid-twentieth century, the predominant ideal in U.S. society was for women to marry and become housewives, although it became socially acceptable for young women to work until marriage to help with family expenses. Professions and jobs often were gender-segregated, and when women did find employment, they were typically paid less than men.
Over time, women increasingly joined the workforce in roles such as retail sales, healthcare, education, office clerks, and factory workers. Despite their growing presence in the workforce and the importance of their economic contribution, they continued to face discrimination in education, employment, and in other areas. Indeed, women's rights and their capacity to earn a living independently were severely restricted by a variety of state and federal laws.