Much has been written about the oppressiveness of Victorian law against women. A key factor here, however, is that much was written about this in Victorian times as well - and rather than accept such oppression as part of Victorian life, Victorian women and men sought to change it. Hence, in a look at Victorian articles about laws pertaining to women, we find a great many that address the question of how to change such laws to improve women's rights and equality.

The Law in New York as it Relates to the Family: The Legal Control of the Children, by Lillie Devereux Blake (Demorest, 1879)

The Law in New York as it Relates to the Family: Dower, by Lillie Devereux Blake (Demorest, 1879)

The Law in New York as it Relates to the Family: Married Women's Rights, by Lillie Devereux Blake (Demorest, 1879)

Laws Relating to the Rights of American Women (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

A Social Revolution: The Married Woman's Property Act, 1882 (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1883)

A revolutionary act indeed that enabled married women to hold property and money separately from their husbands.

The Law of Mistress and Servant (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

The relationship between mistress and servant was one of mutual obligation, with specific rules and rights governing each.

That Girl Baby (Demorest, 1888)

An article on the laws pertaining to women.

The Married Women's Property Act, by A Solicitor (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

An overview of the 1882 act that ensured that women could retain rights to their own property, and earn a separate income, even when married. (The act had pros and cons; no longer was a husband responsible for whatever debts his wife incurred, and a wife could become responsible for her husband's debts!)

The Rights and Obligations of Parents and Children, by C. Page Deane (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

"Giving you some idea of the extent to which 'the eye of the law' regards what parents must do, and what children ought to do."

Coming of Age (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Laws regarding girls and women: when they come of age, when they may be betrothed (seven!), and more.

Practical Points of Law, by A Lawyer

Includes Introduction, Dogs, Education, Fire Assurance, Property Fixtures, Life Assurance, Infants/Children, Servants, Swindles, Tenants, Travel, Wedlock, Wills, Popular Errors