That's what I love about RoP. Every time I get swept away by the romance of JA's books, I'm reminded that for her and others in her time these rules were REAL, not quaint plot devices. A stupid relationship choice at sixteen, which today we would consider part of the painful process of growing up, could ruin your life irrevokably and finally. And every single person you ever met until you died of old age would judge you based on one incident.

In retrospect, my initial question seems a bit naive. I still reserve the right to get swept away by the romance, though! Thanks to everyone who responded for adding yet another layer of meaning to the books for me.