The interfamilial statuses and property and the juridical position of the Chuvash women in the end of XIX -beginning of XX century

The article is concerned with question of Chuvash womens propertyand juridical position into peasant society in the end of XIX - beginning of XX century. Its set before evaluation of dynamic condition thisstatus in relation to Chuvash womens interfamilial status. The Chuvash womens status in family and society, as well as their property andjuridical position over the period of life is transforming. On the assumption of Chuvash tradition perceptions about destination of women,their adulthood criteria and juridical position, we can separate the next status: girl (childhood), maiden (till 13 - 15 year), fiancee (maiden,who was betrothed), bride wife (married woman, who have not yet born her fist child), daughter-in-law (married woman, whose eldest sonhave not yet married), mother-in-law (married woman after wedding her eldest son), separated woman and the widow. For children intoChuvash family the main role were principle of priority the oldest son. According to household system, in tradition Chuvash family birth ofboy, especially first-born, make more pleasure, than birth of girl. Age-related period till 13 - 15 year was according with maiden status. Thedifference at social and juridical position between maiden and guy was discernible in case cohabitation within law marriage. If had consideratewith the girls status in vertical register of womens status, we come to a determination, that girl had more social activity, than marriedwoman. The status of fiancee in the system of Chuvash family relationship was the highest from all of possible for young women. At thatperiod maiden at first qualify for her personal possessions in the form of dowry, the size of which hang on the economic conditions parentsand village community in whole. The status of bride wife was the floor in the life of Chuvash women because all too often Chuvash conclusionof marriage without love, and in most cases bridegrooms parents were chooses the fiancee. After wedding Chuvash women come in forjuridical qualify for inheritance, but only under testament, being that « right in apparent inheritance had only maiden daughters». After birthfirst child, especially boy, reputation of daughter-in-law was growing up.At rates of common law by unbaptized Chuvash, as wordsP.P.Fokin, divorce (it named «sharagat») is acceptable. However, as author wrote, Chuvash take refuge in divorce only at extreme cases.The most difficult reality situation from property and juridical position for women was widowhood. According to traditions, the widow wasforfeited a right of her decedent husbands property on the second marriage.

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