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A Law of Her Own: The Reasonable Woman as a Measure of Man
Despite the apparent progress in women's legal status, the law retains a profoundly male bias, and as such contributes to the pervasive violence and injustice against women.
In A Law of Her Own, the authors propose to radically change law's fundamental paradigm by introducing a "reasonable woman standard" for measuring men's behavior. Advocating that courts apply this standard to the conduct of men-and women-in legal settings where women are overwhelmingly the injured parties, the authors seek to eliminate the victimization and objectification of women by dismantling part of the legal structure that supports their subordination.
A woman-based legal standard-focusing on respect for bodily integrity, agency, and autonomy-would help rectify the imbalance in how society and its legal system view sexual and gender-based harassment, rape, stalking, battery, domestic imprisonment, violence, and death.
Examining the bias of the existing "reasonable person" standard through analysis of various court cases and judicial decisions, A Law of Her Own aims to balance the law to incorporate women's values surrounding sex and violence.
In A Law of Her Own, the authors propose to radically change law's fundamental paradigm by introducing a "reasonable woman standard" for measuring men's behavior. Advocating that courts apply this standard to the conduct of men-and women-in legal settings where women are overwhelmingly the injured parties, the authors seek to eliminate the victimization and objectification of women by dismantling part of the legal structure that supports their subordination.
A woman-based legal standard-focusing on respect for bodily integrity, agency, and autonomy-would help rectify the imbalance in how society and its legal system view sexual and gender-based harassment, rape, stalking, battery, domestic imprisonment, violence, and death.
Examining the bias of the existing "reasonable person" standard through analysis of various court cases and judicial decisions, A Law of Her Own aims to balance the law to incorporate women's values surrounding sex and violence.
261 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 30, 2008
This book was published in 2000 so I am hoping that some things have changed and some attitudes have been modified. This topic was very thoroughly researched and the writing was organized and well developed. Definitely much to be pondered while reading.
"Law plays a significant role in both locking women out and locking them in. Because law is based on male experience, it 'understands' men. The law defines what is lawful in terms of traditional male rights and conduct."
Just when I think we have come so far since the 60s and 70s, I read a book like this and see how far we still have to go.
"Law plays a significant role in both locking women out and locking them in. Because law is based on male experience, it 'understands' men. The law defines what is lawful in terms of traditional male rights and conduct."
Just when I think we have come so far since the 60s and 70s, I read a book like this and see how far we still have to go.
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May 26, 2024How's this for reasonable: I don't think men should be allowed to serve on juries or the bench.
February 8, 2024
Interesting and thought-provoking. Slightly repetitive in some parts but overall, very well-written and researched.
December 20, 2012
Interesting study of how women interact with the legal system and how prejudices against women in the court room can be resolved.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews