Legal Feminisms: theory and practice

Abstract

This book explores the links between theories of feminism and the practice of law and does so through an examination of a number of contemporary themes in feminist legal studies. From an interdisciplinary perspective, this book examines, as one of its overarching themes, the existence of a distinctively female legal voice, or voices. In arguing for a recognition of the diversity of women’s experiences of the law and in the law, it is also maintained that the role of feminism as a political strategy must not be lost. Feminist legal studies is one of the most exciting and dynamic areas of contemporary legal studies and the ambition of this book is both to capture and channel this dynamic. In introducing themes from politics, philosophy, literature, sociology and cultural studies, this book will be of interest to a wide ranging audience. Contents: Introduction, Clare McGlynn; Perspectives on Sex, Gender and the Legal Profession: The gendering of the professional subject: commitment, choice and social closure in the legal profession, Hilary Sommerlad; (Un) sexy bodies: the making of professional legal masculinities, Richard Collier. Interdisciplinary and Theoretical Perspectives: Fabled explanations of bias, Katherine O’Donovan; When mercy seasons justice: Shakespeare’s woman lawyer, Ian Ward; Rape law: harbouring an implicit relation between law and psychology, Fiona E. Raitt and M. Suzanne Zeedyk; The business of equality, Clare McGlynn. International, European and Comparative Perspectives: Contextualizing international women’s rights: Canadian feminism, race and culture, David S. Berry; Women and water law: from theory to practice, Elizabeth A. Kirk and Jenny Tooze; Women’s law and cultural understandings of gender in Finland, Anu Pylkkänen; Special protection of women’s rights in China, Junping He; A place for maternity in the European Union, Eugenia Caracciolo di Torella; The construction of women in the non-consensual sterilization debate: why a feminist analysis is needed, Mary Donnelly; Index.