Although these societies were very restrictive, adult males were able to withdraw from the family. Lineage followed males only, as the Scottish clans still do. This implies reduced rights for women. But after the Law of Nature became fashionable in Rome, women began having equal rights. Dark ages reduced women's status again.
Slavery also is illustrative of primitive legal thinking.
Slaves were considered members of the family, because the slave was subject to the commands of the head of the family. Similar to other aspects of ancient law, property rights were held by family units. Over time, easier methods of transfer are worked out. Sometimes there is a system of dual ownership. For instance, in Rome, both the landlord and the tenant had rights in the property.