Unwrapping sexism: The convergence of law, gender, and social change in American society

Presentation Type

Abstract

Faculty Advisor

Thomas Loikith

Access Type

Event

Start Date

25-4-2025 10:30 AM

End Date

25-4-2025 11:29 AM

Description

Sexism” is discrimination based on sex or gender. Sexism has existed in America since itsfounding. By the 20thcentury, the roles and rights of women were expanded and protected. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment became effective, forbidding the federal or state governments from denying the right to vote based on sex. Court decisions and legislation in the late 20th century further expanded women’s rights. Despite such progress, however, explicit and implicit sexism in American culture and society persists. What can and should be done to eliminate sexism in the United States? This is a complex issue that requires interdisciplinary research to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. From September 2024 through April 2025, I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis). I analyzed sources from the disciplines of law and political science, including the Constitution, court cases, legislation, and scholarly and non-scholarly articles. I identified conflicting insights from the scholarly sources, found common ground between such insights, and integrated them to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That fuller understanding leads to suggested resolutions of the problem. I conclude that legal reforms are required to address sexism in American society. The Constitution needs to be amended to add the Equal Rights Amendment. Government needs to enact legislation protecting women’s reproductive rights, establishing wage parity, and otherwise aiming to reduce sexism. More than that, however, there need to be efforts to educate the public about the importance of equality between men and women in all aspects of American life.

Comments

Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.

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Apr 25th, 10:30 AM Apr 25th, 11:29 AM

Unwrapping sexism: The convergence of law, gender, and social change in American society

Sexism” is discrimination based on sex or gender. Sexism has existed in America since itsfounding. By the 20thcentury, the roles and rights of women were expanded and protected. In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment became effective, forbidding the federal or state governments from denying the right to vote based on sex. Court decisions and legislation in the late 20th century further expanded women’s rights. Despite such progress, however, explicit and implicit sexism in American culture and society persists. What can and should be done to eliminate sexism in the United States? This is a complex issue that requires interdisciplinary research to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding. From September 2024 through April 2025, I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis). I analyzed sources from the disciplines of law and political science, including the Constitution, court cases, legislation, and scholarly and non-scholarly articles. I identified conflicting insights from the scholarly sources, found common ground between such insights, and integrated them to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That fuller understanding leads to suggested resolutions of the problem. I conclude that legal reforms are required to address sexism in American society. The Constitution needs to be amended to add the Equal Rights Amendment. Government needs to enact legislation protecting women’s reproductive rights, establishing wage parity, and otherwise aiming to reduce sexism. More than that, however, there need to be efforts to educate the public about the importance of equality between men and women in all aspects of American life.