As patriarchies grew and spread, women gradually lost the power to earn a living, own property, lead a public life, or have much control over what happened to their children. The only freedoms they were afforded were within the cages that had been created for them. So they were left with little choice but to behave in ways that served the system. A modest, coy woman who appeared to be chaste would marry well and prosper, while a less modest woman would be shunned.
