Women's Rights in the USA: Policy Debates and Gender Roles

In Women’s Rights in the USA, Fourth Edition, McBride and Parry examine the policy debates critical to women in American society. Analyzing both the historical contexts and current controversies, the authors show the processes behind the statutes, court cases, and administrative rules pertaining to issues such as education, work pay, family, sexuality, and economic status and examine the role of women activists in shaping them.

This fourth edition also features updates on contemporary issues of women and public policy, including same-sex marriage and lesbian issues, pay equity, conservative trends in courts, reproductive rights, and women in electoral politics. Themed boxes highlight information in five areas: Personal Stories; Intersections; Equality and Difference: Cases; Equality and Difference: Laws; and Voices in Debates.

Dorothy E. McBride is Professor Emerita of Political Science at Florida Atlantic University and co-convener of the Research Network on Gender Politics and the State.

Janine A. Parry is Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas.