Abigail Adams was referring to the status of women in relation to their husbands during her time.In the 1700s, women were supposed to be 'protected' by their husbands under the doctrine of 'couverture', which governed that the wife was completely dependent on her husband. Married women were not allowed to own property, sign legal documents, keep their own wages or obtain education against the wishes of her husband. Basically, their welfare was completely in the hands of their husbands.