as mothers, or as sisters.

母亲姐姐妹妹
They had little recognized role outside

她们出了家门就没有身份
the household and few opportunities

更别想有机会
to pursue an independent career

追求自己的事业
at least in theory it was so.

至少在理论上事实如此
That subordination was justified by the authority of scripture,

男女的主从关系是圣经委员会认定的
Saint Paul was constantly quoted on that point,

在这点上人们常常引用圣保罗的原话
and it was also justified in English law,

英国的法律也认定了这一点
especially the law of property.

尤其是财产法
According to English common law,

根据英国习惯法
property was vested in male household heads.

财产是属于男性户主的
An unmarried woman who was described in law

法律上规定一个未婚女子