Women and Public Policy : A Revolution in Progress

by Conway, M. Margaret; Ahern, David W.; Steuernagel, Gertrude A.

• ISBN13: 9781568024066
• ISBN10: 1568024061
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-10-01
• Publisher: Cq Pr

Summary

The unifying theme of Women and Public Policy is the impact of cultural change on women's roles in American society and patterns of public policy as they affect women and their families. Authors M. Margaret Conway, David W. Ahern, and Gertrude A. Steuernagel explore a broad range of policy areas that affect women, including typical issues such as education, employment, and health, as well as important but frequently overlooked areas such as marriage and family law, child care, and economic equity. Recent events and changes in areas such as welfare reform, adoptions by gay parents, and the Defense of Marriage Act are also discussed in this thoroughly updated second edition.

Author Biography

Gertrude A. Steuernagel is professor of political science at Kent State University.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Women and Public Policy	1	(16)
Defining Culture	1	(4)
A Brief History	5	(3)
Cultural Change and Public Policy	8	(5)
Notes	13	(3)
Suggestions for Further Reading	16	(1)
Women and Educational Policy	17	(22)
Educational Policy in Cultural and Historical Context	19	(1)
The Current Status of Women in Higher Education	20	(2)
Discrimination against Women in Higher Education	22	(2)
Women, Education, and the Policy Process	24	(2)
Title IX and the Battle over Implementation	26	(4)
Policy Adjudication: Grove City College's Challenge to Title IX	30	(2)
Looking Ahead	32	(2)
Notes	34	(3)
Chronology	37	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	38	(1)
Women and Health Care Policy	39	(28)
Women, Culture, and Public Policy on Health Care	40	(4)
Contemporary Women's Health Issues and the Policy-making Process	44	(13)
Policy Silences	57	(3)
Notes	60	(4)
Chronology	64	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	65	(2)
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy	67	(32)
Employment Discrimination: Theories of Cause and Change	68	(1)
Patterns of Employment	69	(2)
A History of Employment Policy	71	(8)
Implementation of Equal Opportunity Policy	79	(3)
The Problem of Sexual Harassment	82	(3)
Criteria for Proof of Discrimination	85	(1)
Effects of Equal Opportunity Policy on Women's Employment	86	(2)
The Concept of Comparable Worth	88	(2)
The Outlook for Women	90	(2)
Notes	92	(4)
Chronology	96	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	97	(2)
Economic Equity: Credit, Housing, Retirement Income, and Insurance	99	(22)
The Problem of Credit Discrimination	99	(8)
The Problem of Housing	107	(2)
The Problems of Retirement Income and the Feminization of Poverty	109	(5)
Gender and Insurance Coverage	114	(3)
Notes	117	(2)
Chronology	119	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	120	(1)
Women and Family Law: Marriage and Divorce	121	(28)
Laws and Public Policies Governing Marriage	124	(8)
Laws and Public Policies Governing Divorce	132	(11)
Conclusion	143	(1)
Notes	143	(3)
Chronology	146	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	147	(2)
Women and Child Care	149	(27)
Can the Needs of Women and Children Be Separated?	151	(2)
Cultural Context of the Child Care Problem	153	(1)
The Increasing Importance of Child Care Issues	154	(7)
Historical Background of Child Care and Family Leave Issues	161	(8)
The Problems of Child Care and Family Leave: A Need for Public Awareness	169	(3)
Notes	172	(2)
Chronology	174	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	175	(1)
Women and the Criminal Justice System	176	(23)
The Functions of Law in American Society	178	(1)
Women as Decision Makers in the Criminal Justice System	179	(4)
Women as Criminals	183	(4)
Women as Crime Victims	187	(5)
Conclusion	192	(1)
Notes	193	(4)
Chronology	197	(1)
Suggestions for Further Reading	198	(1)
A Revolution in Progress	199	(10)
Notes	206	(2)
Suggestions for Further Reading	208	(1)
Index	209