A mother's position in the house grew more dignified as her age also increased.  As she grew older she enjoyed certain advantages that followed the older people in the house.  Even though the mother and grandmother were very respected, they were never as respected as the old man was.  The woman was to obey her son after her husband died.  She would never be the head of the household because there was usually a male figure (son, brothers, and uncles) that would assume the position of the household.