Women in eighteenth century Malta legal and social aspects

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to try to dispel some of the misconceptions concerning the legal and social status of women in eighteenth century Malta. The most prevalent impression is that women were under the complete control of the men in all fields; political, social, religious and economic. This research attempted to show that women were capable, notwithstanding all the strictures of law and societal attitudes, to maximize the few opportunities available to them, and in exercising part of their potential, played a part, in parallel to that of men, in the economic life of the community. This work included an overview of the social and political background of the period in Malta, followed by a review of what had been written so far concerning the position of women. This was confronted with an examination of their position according to the laws of Malta. The information collated was in turn confronted with the diverse legal scenarios in other European countries during that time. A sample of 1401 public deeds that women in the mid-eighteenth century were party to, were then analysed. The research shows that women’s legal and social status afforded them the opportunity, even if to a relatively limited extent when compared to men, to be more proactive than had been imagined. It also indicated that women were capable, notwithstanding all the strictures of law, of taking a part in the economic life of the community through their trade and their possessions in parallel with men. The image of women in eighteenth century Malta thus has been redefined from the few previous studies that have been carried out to date. It also provides another viewpoint on women’s participation in the economy and shows that their ordinary working lives were not always limited solely to bringing up their families. Women indeed, had other tasks which highlighted their potential and their capabilities. From now on, one can hopefully refrain from envisaging all women living in eighteenth century Malta either as dutiful submissive wives or holy nuns at one extreme end, or as permissive prostitutes or wicked witches at the other.