Throughout history, women have been subjected to bizarre, unfair, and often downright absurd rules—many enforced by law, religion, or social pressure. Here are some of the most shocking restrictions women once had to follow:
1. “Hysterical” Women Needed “Pelvic Massages” to Calm Down
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The “Diagnosis”: In the 19th century, doctors believed women’s emotions were controlled by their uterus (hysteria from Greek hystera = womb).
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The “Cure”: Physicians performed manual pelvic massages (yes, that) to induce “paroxysms” (orgasms) as “treatment.”
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Until… The vibrator was invented in the 1880s to make doctors’ jobs “easier.”
2. Women Couldn’t Wear Pants (Without a Permit!)
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France (1800–2013): A 200-year-old law required women to ask police permission to “dress as men.” (Only fully repealed in 2013!)
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USA (1920s–70s): Many workplaces, schools, and restaurants banned pants for women—even flight attendants fought for the right in the 1970s.
3. A Husband Could Sell His Wife (Yes, Really)
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18th–19th Century England: A legal loophole let men auction their wives (often with a rope around her neck) if they “no longer wanted her.”
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Public Spectacle: Some sales were even announced in newspapers.
4. Women Were Banned from Running Marathons
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1960s–70s: Doctors claimed women’s uteruses would fall out from long-distance running.
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Boston Marathon (1967): Kathrine Switzer famously registered as “K. V. Switzer” and ran—while officials tried to physically drag her off the course.
5. No Credit Cards Without a Husband’s Permission
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USA (Until 1974): Single, divorced, or widowed women were often denied credit cards unless a man co-signed.
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act (1974): Finally made it illegal to discriminate based on gender.
6. Women Couldn’t Keep Their Jobs If They Got Married
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“Marriage Bars” (1930s–60s): Many professions (teaching, clerical work) fired women once they married, assuming their husbands would support them.
7. Female Anger Was a Crime (“Scold’s Bridle”)
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Medieval Europe & Colonial America: A metal muzzle with spikes was locked onto “nagging” women’s heads as punishment.
8. Women Couldn’t Own Property
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USA & UK (Until 1800s): When a woman married, everything she owned became her husband’s—even her clothes.
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Change: The Married Women’s Property Acts (1870–1882 in UK) finally allowed women to keep their earnings and inheritances.
9. No Jury Duty (Because Women Were “Too Delicate”)
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USA (Until 1968): Some states barred women from juries, claiming they were too emotional or needed to be home with children.
10. “Fainting Rooms” for Overwhelmed Women
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Victorian Era: Wealthy women were thought to be so fragile that homes had special padded rooms where they could “recover” from shock (like seeing an ankle).
Why These Rules Existed
Most stemmed from:
🔹 Patriarchal control over women’s bodies and choices.
🔹 False “science” claiming women were weaker or less rational.
🔹 Religious doctrines enforcing female submission.
Progress Isn’t Perfect… But It’s Happening
Many of these rules persisted well into the 20th century—and some biases still linger today. Thankfully, women have fought (and still fight) to dismantle them.
Which rule shocks you the most? Let me know—I’ll share more wild history! 😊
