There is no consistent answer to this question. In our society law governs everything; our economic, political, social and personal activities. These laws restrict and control everything from what ingredients go into certain food products all the way to who we marry. Over time laws change according to the people, location and many other factors that affect society. For example women's rights 200 years ago would be fairly different from what they are now. Most likely there were no rights for woman at the time; compared to now where women have almost equal rights as men.
