Also inheritance rights (and to a degree ownership of and responsibility for children) in cultures where property ownership is for men [0]. In the absence of a

Also inheritance rights (and to a degree ownership of and responsibility for children) in cultures where property ownership is for men [0]. In the absence of a way to know for sure who your children are, your children are deemed to be those your wife gives birth to in the course of your marriage. A child you may have outside of marriage, no matter how obvious it is that it's yours, is illegitimate; not legally considered. Suddenly, adultery on the part of your wife is a very big deal indeed, and all the various other effects this has. Obviously things have changed in many societies now, but historically this was a very big one. Surprisingly recent, perhaps. See Trimble vs Gordon, of 1977. [0] And others too, but very strongly pronounced in these cultures.