1. Women Couldn’t Own Property in Many Places
For centuries, women were legally considered extensions of their husbands or fathers, meaning they couldn’t own property in their own names. In the U.S. and many European countries, married women were subject to “coverture” laws, which meant their husbands controlled everything they owned. If a woman inherited land or money, it automatically transferred to her husband. Even if she worked, her wages legally belonged to him. This led to countless women being left destitute if their marriages ended shares ThoughtCo.
It wasn’t until the 19th and early 20th centuries that laws started changing. In the U.S., the Married Women’s Property Acts gave women more rights over their finances, but progress was slow. Even into the ‘70s, women still faced discrimination when trying to get credit or loans without a male co-signer. Today, the idea that a woman couldn’t own a house or manage her own paycheck sounds absurd adds HomeStreet Bank.
2. Men Had to Wear Knee-Length Tunics in Ancient Rome
The fashion police of ancient Rome were strict—men were expected to wear tunics that reached their knees, and anything shorter was considered inappropriate. Roman senators and upper-class men wore togas, which were draped a certain way to signify status. If a man showed too much leg, he risked looking effeminate or low-class. Oddly enough, women’s clothing rules were just as rigid—married women were expected to wear long stolas, while lower-class women had fewer restrictions says Wikipedia.
Imagine telling men today they had to follow a strict hemline rule! Fashion has come a long way, with men wearing anything from shorts to skirts without social consequences. While dress codes still exist in certain workplaces and cultures, most people would agree that policing men’s leg exposure is outdated. Ancient Rome had its share of progressive ideas, but fashion freedom wasn’t one of them.
3. Women Were Banned from Drinking Alcohol in Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece wasn’t exactly a place of gender equality, and that extended to their drinking habits. In some city-states, married women weren’t allowed to drink wine at all, while men could indulge freely. In fact, a husband could legally divorce his wife if he caught her drinking. The reasoning behind the rule? Drunkenness was seen as improper for women, and some even believed it would lead to immoral behavior says This Day in Wine History.
Today, this rule would be met with complete outrage. A woman being forbidden from having a glass of wine just because of her gender? Unthinkable! While social expectations around drinking still exist in some cultures, the idea of outright banning it for women seems ridiculous. Thankfully, modern times recognize that everyone deserves the right to enjoy (or avoid) alcohol as they choose.
4. Men Were Expected to Wear Powdered Wigs in the 18th Century
Fashion in the 1700s dictated that elite men wear powdered wigs, often elaborate and heavily styled. Not wearing one could make a man look unkempt or even untrustworthy. The trend started as a way to cover hair loss due to syphilis and other health issues but quickly became a symbol of status. Wigs were so important that some European countries even had taxes on them! Even military leaders and judges followed the trend, reinforcing the idea that a “real” man wore a wig.
Today, the thought of forcing men to wear artificial hair sounds like a joke. Imagine telling a businessman or a politician he couldn’t be taken seriously without a powdered wig! Fashion trends come and go, but this one would definitely not make a comeback. If anything, men today embrace natural hair—or even shaving it all off—as a sign of confidence.
5. Women Were Arrested for Wearing Pants
Not too long ago, a woman wearing pants was considered scandalous. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, laws in the U.S. and Europe banned women from wearing trousers in public. Women who defied these rules could be fined, arrested, or even sent to jail. Famous women like Amelia Bloomer and Katharine Hepburn challenged the norms, but progress was slow. In some places, these laws weren’t officially repealed until the late ‘20s.
Now, the idea of pants being “for men only” seems absurd. Women wear jeans, slacks, and shorts without a second thought. It’s hard to believe that just a century ago, something as simple as choosing comfortable clothing could get a woman in serious trouble. Thankfully, fashion equality has won out, and women can wear whatever they please.
6. Men Couldn’t Be Stay-at-Home Dads
For most of history, men were expected to be the sole breadwinners while women stayed home to raise the kids. A man who took on childcare duties was seen as weak or failing at his role as the provider. In some cultures, fathers were discouraged from even being present during childbirth. Any man who prioritized parenting over career success was considered an embarrassment.
Thankfully, society has shifted. Today, stay-at-home dads are not only accepted but often celebrated. More couples are choosing parenting roles that work for their families rather than sticking to outdated expectations. Men who take paternity leave or become full-time caregivers prove that parenting is about love and responsibility, not gender.
7. Women Were Expected to Marry by Their Early Teens
In many historical societies, girls were expected to marry as soon as they hit puberty. In medieval Europe and many parts of Asia, marriages were arranged when girls were as young as 12 or 13. Love had little to do with it—marriage was about securing alliances and financial stability. Women who remained unmarried past their early 20s were often labeled as “old maids” or burdens to their families.
Today, the idea of forcing young girls into marriage would spark outrage. Most countries have laws that set a minimum age for marriage, recognizing that teenagers should be focused on education and personal growth. While child marriage still exists in some parts of the world, the global movement against it continues to grow. Marriage should be a choice, not a requirement dictated by age.
8. Men Couldn’t Be Nurses
For much of modern history, nursing was seen as a “woman’s job.” Men who wanted to become nurses were often ridiculed or outright banned from the profession. Nursing schools refused to admit men, and even those who managed to get trained found it difficult to get hired. The belief was that men should be doctors, while women handled the “caring” roles.
Thankfully, that mindset has shifted. Today, male nurses are common and valued for their skills and dedication. The idea that compassion and caregiving should be limited by gender seems ridiculous in modern healthcare. Patients care about competence, not whether their nurse is a man or a woman.
9. Women Had to Resign from Their Jobs After Marriage
In the early-to-mid ‘20s, many companies had a “marriage bar,” which meant women were forced to quit their jobs as soon as they got married. The belief was that a woman’s place was at home, taking care of her husband and future children. Employers didn’t want to invest in female employees who might leave to start a family. This rule was especially common in teaching, clerical work, and government positions.
It wasn’t until the ‘50s and ‘60s that these policies started to disappear. The idea that a woman couldn’t balance a job and a marriage seems laughable today. Now, women are CEOs, doctors, and politicians, proving that their careers don’t have to end when they say, “I do.” Workplace discrimination still exists, but forcing women out of jobs based on their marital status is now unthinkable.
10. Men Were Forbidden from Crying in Public
For centuries, men were expected to be stoic and emotionless, especially in public. Expressing sadness or shedding tears was seen as weak and unmanly. Even in times of grief, men were told to “toughen up” and hide their feelings. This expectation was drilled into boys from a young age, reinforcing the toxic idea that real men don’t cry.
Thankfully, modern society has begun to reject this harmful stereotype. More men are encouraged to express their emotions without fear of judgment. Public figures, from athletes to actors, have openly shed tears, showing that vulnerability isn’t a weakness. Today, the idea that a man should suppress his emotions just because of his gender would spark outrage.
11. Women Were Not Allowed to Compete in Sports
In many parts of history, women were outright banned from participating in sports. The ancient Olympic Games in Greece didn’t allow women to compete, and in some cases, they weren’t even allowed to watch. Even in the early 20th century, female athletes were limited to “ladylike” sports like tennis and figure skating. Many believed that physical exertion was dangerous for women and could harm their ability to have children.
Today, female athletes are dominating in every sport imaginable. From Serena Williams to Simone Biles, women have proven time and again that they belong in competitive athletics. The idea that women are too fragile for sports seems completely ridiculous now. Women’s sports still fight for equal pay and recognition, but at least they’re no longer banned from competing altogether.
12. Men Couldn’t Be Elementary School Teachers
For a long time, teaching young children was seen as a woman’s job. Men who wanted to teach elementary school were often discouraged or outright barred from doing so. The reasoning was that women were naturally more nurturing and patient, making them better suited to working with kids. Some people even found it suspicious for a man to want to teach young children, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Thankfully, those outdated ideas have faded. Today, male teachers are valued in early education, bringing diversity and different perspectives into classrooms. Kids benefit from having role models of all genders, and schools recognize that teaching ability has nothing to do with being a man or a woman. The thought of banning men from teaching simply because of their gender would be met with outrage.
13. Women Had to Cover Their Hair in Public
For centuries, women in many cultures were required to cover their hair anytime they were in public. In medieval Europe, this was considered a sign of modesty and respectability. Women who left their hair uncovered were often seen as promiscuous or rebellious. In some places, the rule was enforced by law, and women could be fined or punished for failing to comply.
Today, hair covering is a personal choice rather than a societal demand in most places. Women wear their hair however they please, whether it’s short, long, covered, or uncovered. The idea of forcing women to follow strict hair rules based on gender alone seems absurd. While cultural and religious head coverings still exist by choice, mandatory hair laws would face serious backlash.