First published in 1985, Women-in-Law is a collection of essays examining the complex interactions of law, sexuality, and the family. It explores the ways in which legal ideology and practice affect women and looks at issues such as child custody, domestic violence and prostitution in the light of new research. The contributors review the history of feminist involvement with the law and analyze the law’s fundamental failure to improve the status of women. They also assess strategies for change in view of the current backlash against women’s rights and the traditional role of law in the subjugation of women. This book will be of interest to students of law, political science, sociology, gender studies, and sexuality studies.

• Key Themes:
  • Law and Women’s Rights:
    • Investigates the ways in which legal systems have historically disadvantaged women, particularly in areas like child custody, domestic violence, and prostitution.
    • Examines the failure of the law to truly address or improve gender inequalities.
  • Feminist Perspectives on Law:
    • Reviews the history of feminist involvement with the law, analyzing key moments of feminist legal activism and its impact on legal practices.
  • Law and Family:
    • Focuses on how family-related legal issues, such as custody and domestic violence, are framed within patriarchal legal systems.
  • Backlash Against Women’s Rights:
    • Assesses the current backlash against women’s rights and the limitations of legal reforms in the face of persistent cultural and political resistance.
• Contributors:
  • The book includes essays from a range of feminist scholars and activists, offering diverse perspectives on the intersection of law, gender, and sexuality.