Women, Politics, and American Society

by McGlen, Nancy E.; O'Connor, Karen; van Assendelft, Laura; Gunther-Canada, Wendy

• ISBN13: 9780321100436
• ISBN10: 0321100433
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Longman

Summary

A must-read for anyone wishing to understand the history and present-day political reality of women, this fascinating book explores the efforts, achievements, as well as the setbacks involved in the movements toward equality for American women. Women's Movements in America; The Struggle for Political Rights; Women's Political Participation; The Struggle for Employment and Educational Rights; Women's Economic and Educational Status; The Struggle for Familial and Reproductive Rights; Women's Place in the Family; The Future of the Movement. Anyone interested in women and politics.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Introduction: Women's Movements in America	1	(3)
An Overview of Women's Rights Movement Activity	4	(17)
The Early Woman's Movement (1848--1875)	4	(3)
The Suffrage Movement (1890--1925)	7	(3)
The Women's Rights Movement (1966--present)	10	(1)
The Younger Branch	11	(2)
The Older Branch	13	(8)
PART I POLITICAL RIGHTS AND REALITIES	21	(102)
The Struggle for Political Rights	23	(44)
The Woman's Rights Movement and the Ballot	23	(8)
The Civil War Amendments	25	(1)
New Groups Founded	26	(1)
Woman Suffrage and the Fourteenth Amendment	27	(1)
Litigating for the Franchise	28	(1)
Toward a Constitutional Amendment	29	(1)
The Antisuffrage Movement	30	(1)
The Suffrage Movement: The Quest for the Vote Continues	31	(11)
Constituent Groups	31	(3)
Educated Suffrage	34	(3)
Suffrage Flounders	37	(1)
Toward a National Amendment	38	(1)
A Winning Plan	39	(1)
Suffrage Not Enough---The Beginning of the End	40	(1)
The Women's Joint Congressional Committee	41	(1)
The NWP and the Equal Rights Ammendment	41	(1)
The Drive for Women's Political Rights	42	(5)
The President's Commission on the Status of Women and NOW	47	(15)
The Ratification Effort	50	(1)
ERA---The First Stage (1972--1977)	51	(1)
ERA---The Second Stage (1977--1979)	51	(1)
ERA---The Third Stage (1979--1982)	52	(1)
The Aftermath of the ERA Ratification Effort: Women's Groups Mobilize for Expanded Political Opportunities	53	(2)
The National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC)	55	(2)
The Feminist Majority Foundation	57	(1)
League of Women Voters	57	(1)
The American Association of University Women	57	(1)
National Organization for Women	58	(1)
Women's PACs	58	(1)
The Women's Campaign Fund	59	(1)
NOW/PAC and NOW Equality PAC	59	(1)
EMILY's List	60	(2)
The WISH List	62	(1)
Conclusion	62	(2)
Notes	64	(3)
Women's Political Participation	67	(56)
Cultural Attitudes About the Political Participation of Women	69	(1)
Impact of the Current Women's Rights Movement on Political Rights and Political Participation	69	(1)
Continuing Cultural Barriers	69	(1)
Political Socialization	70	(4)
Political Resources	74	(3)
Citizen Duty	74	(1)
Psychological Involvement in Politics	75	(1)
Political Efficacy	76	(1)
Other Resources	77	(1)
Sex Discrimination: The Hidden Barrier	77	(1)
Political Involvement	78	(8)
Voting	78	(2)
Issue Positions	80	(1)
Party Identification	81	(1)
Voting patterns	81	(5)
Political Activity	86	(6)
Lobbying and Community Involvement	86	(1)
Campaign and Party Work	87	(3)
Office Holding	90	(2)
Barriers to Women in Elected and Appointed Positions	92	(12)
Stereotypes	93	(2)
Career Choice and Preparation	95	(1)
Family Demands	96	(3)
Sex Discrimination	99	(1)
The Political System	100	(1)
Money	100	(1)
Campaign Finance Laws	101	(1)
Party Organization	102	(1)
Electoral Systems	102	(1)
Incumbency	103	(1)
Problems Faced by Women in Elected Positions	104	(1)
Impact of Women in Elected Positions	105	(3)
Problems Faced by Women in Appointed Positions	108	(2)
The Executive Branch	108	(2)
The Federal Judiciary	110	(1)
Impact of Women in Appointed Positions	110	(1)
Conclusion	111	(1)
Notes	112	(11)
PART II EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND REALITIES	123	(120)
The Struggle for Employment and Educational Rights	126	(52)
The Woman's Movement	127	(3)
The Seneca Falls Convention and the Woman's Movement	128	(1)
Efforts on Behalf of Working Women	129	(1)
Professionalization and Education	130	(1)
The Suffrage Movement	130	(7)
The Drive for Protective Legislation	132	(1)
Maximum Hour and Minimum Wage Laws	132	(2)
Women and Work After Suffrage	134	(1)
Education and the Professions	134	(3)
World War II	137	(3)
Education after World War II	139	(1)
The Women's Rights Movement	140	(31)
The Equal Pay Act	141	(1)
Department of Labor Enforcement	141	(1)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964	142	(1)
EEOC Enforcement	143	(1)
BFOQs and Protective Legislation	144	(1)
Customer Preference or Business Necessity?	145	(1)
Comparable Worth	145	(3)
Affirmative Action	148	(3)
Sexual Harassment	151	(3)
EEOC Enforcement of the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act	154	(2)
Employment Discrimination and the Consequences of Childbearing	156	(1)
Pregnancy Discrimination	156	(2)
The Difference Debate	158	(1)
The Family and Medical Leave Act	159	(3)
Department of Labor Studies the Impact of the Family and Medical Leave Act	162	(1)
Reproductive Hazards and Fetal Protection Policies	162	(1)
Education	163	(1)
Title IX and the Constitution	164	(1)
Admissions	164	(2)
Student Treatment	166	(2)
Test Fairness	168	(2)
Hiring and Personnel Practices	170	(1)
Opposition to Employment and Educational Equity	170	(1)
Conclusion	171	(2)
Notes	173	(5)
Women's Economic and Educational Status	178	(65)
Attitudes Toward Work and Women	179	(4)
Before the Women's Movement	179	(2)
The Impact of the Women's Movement	181	(2)
Attitudes Toward Mothers Working	183	(6)
Attitudes About the Abilities of Women	186	(3)
Preparation of Women for Employment Outside the Home	189	(10)
Early Training for Work	189	(4)
The Women's Rights Movement and Preparation for Work	193	(1)
Education and Work Readiness	194	(4)
Work-force Commitment Attitudes	198	(1)
Sex Discrimination	199	(6)
Discrimination by Employers	199	(3)
Discrimination by Male Employees	202	(3)
Economic and Marketplace Factors	205	(4)
Impact of Barriers on the Position of Women in the Marketplace	209	(24)
Employment Levels of Women	210	(2)
Work-force Commitment of Women	212	(3)
Wages of Women	215	(11)
Solutions to Pay Inequity	226	(2)
Affirmative Action	228	(1)
Family Leave, Day Care, and Flexible Jobs	228	(5)
Conclusion	233	(1)
Notes	234	(9)
PART III FAMILIAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND REALITIES	243	(112)
The Struggle for Familial and Reproductive Rights	246	(42)
The Woman's Movement	247	(6)
Effects of the Common Law	248	(1)
Divorce Reform	248	(1)
Birth Control	249	(2)
Voluntary Motherhood	251	(2)
The Suffrage Movement	253	(3)
Educated Motherhood	253	(1)
Birth Control in the Suffrage Era	254	(2)
The Current Women's Rights Movement	256	(10)
Marriage	257	(1)
Marriage and the Loss of Identity	258	(1)
Names	258	(1)
Marriage and Divorce Law	259	(2)
Divorce and Custody Laws	261	(1)
Motherhood and New Issues of ``Family''	262	(1)
The Decision to Have Children	262	(3)
Surrogacy	265	(1)
Reproductive Freedom	266	(13)
Birth Control	266	(1)
Adolescent Access to Birth Control	267	(1)
Abortion	267	(9)
A Pro-choice Administration	276	(1)
Litigation to Stop Violence	276	(1)
Congress Acts	277	(1)
NOW v. Scheidler Decided	278	(1)
The Freedom of Choice Act	278	(1)
Is Congress Rolling Back Reproductive Rights	278	(1)
A Pro-life Administration	279	(1)
New Frontiers in Reproductive Rights	280	(3)
Conclusion	283	(1)
Notes	284	(4)
Women's Place In the Family	288	(52)
Attitudinal Change Toward Marriage and the Family	289	(12)
Pre-twentieth-century America	290	(2)
The Women's Rights Movement and Attitudes Toward Marriage and Family	292	(1)
Attitudes Toward Marriage	293	(3)
Attitudes Toward Motherhood	296	(1)
Sexuality and Birth Control	296	(4)
Differences Among Women	300	(1)
Women's and Men's Resources in the Struggle for Equal Roles	301	(4)
Discrimination by Men in the Family	305	(1)
Impact of Cultural Attitudes, Lack of Resources, and Discrimination on the Position of Women in the Family	305	(26)
Marriage Rates	305	(3)
Companionship Marriage	308	(7)
Divorce	315	(7)
Motherhood	322	(4)
Fatherhood	326	(4)
The New Families	330	(1)
Conclusion	331	(1)
Notes	332	(8)
The Future of the Movement	340	(15)
Prerequisites for a Reenergized Women's Rights Movement	344	(5)
Organizational Base and Organizational Support	344	(2)
Leaders and Organizers	346	(1)
Communications Networks	346	(1)
Critical Mobilizing Events	347	(1)
Political Mobilization	348	(1)
Goals for the Women's Rights Movement	349	(2)
Conclusion	351	(1)
Notes	352	(3)
Index	355