ABSTRACT

Gender and the Law provides an ideal introduction to gender and feminist theory for students. Beginning with an overview of traditional notions of gender, the book establishes the key feminist and queer legal theories. It provides a basic structure and overview upon which students can build their understanding of some of the complex and controversial topics and debates around gender.

Structured thematically, the book explores many fascinating and controversial legal issues, including issues of transgender rights; equal pay and equality in the workplace; societal changes and challenges within the regulation of personal relationships; the law surrounding consent and sexual offences; the role of gender norms in the criminal courts; legal regulation of prostitution and pornography; and the ways in which the law has responded to societal changes surrounding reproduction.

With ‘thinking points’ and ‘further reading’ suggestions within each chapter, the authors encourage an engagement with critique and theory in order to understand this dynamic and challenging field.

chapter 1|15 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|26 pages

Legal theories

chapter 3|22 pages

Women’s evolving legal status

chapter 4|15 pages

Beyond the gender binary?

chapter 5|22 pages

Employment

chapter 6|26 pages

Regulating relationships

chapter 7|27 pages

Gender norms in the criminal courts

chapter 8|15 pages

Consent

chapter 9|29 pages

Sexual offences

chapter 10|20 pages

Reproductive bodies

chapter 11|28 pages

Regulating pornography and prostitution