Somewhat, brand new cousin impoverishment of women try the result of judge statutes favoring men, in particular eldest sons. In the event your owner from a family group estate-the household family and you can lands and you may money made by the new residential property-died intestate, brand new laws away from primogeniture used: the new oldest child handed down the household house. Throughout the lack of people, otherwise out-of men students, collateral friends, always men, in check of seniority, inherited the new estate. Primogeniture was the new laws applied if an effective landowner died intestate. In most cases household members locations devolved, perhaps not by the guidelines regarding intestacy however, predicated on wills or settlements. A total holder off property didn’t have so you’re able to like their eldest son or any other male interactions when you look at the a might however, commonly performed therefore. The purpose of favoring the new eldest young man, possibly by the application of regulations out of primogeniture otherwise from the wills or settlements, were to continue relatives locations intact and you may free from heavy debt to help with other family relations.
Austen shows the way the society of staying family unit members possessions to one another from the bequeathing it for the eldest son, instead of breaking up the home to look after the, remaining women in variety of subject to the new foundation of their men family members.