Before the Second great awakening (1790-1840), women's role in society was not so different from the role they had during the colonial era. They were barred from the ministry and most other professions. They had little education and higher education was merely an option. They were not allowed to vote. In the marriage relation, a wife hardly had control over the property or their children. In other words, their legal status was like a minor, a slave, or a free black.