Feminist Theory and Legal Practice: A Case Study on Unemployment Compensation and the Male Norm

Maranville, Deborah A.

Abstract

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Feminist Theory and Legal Practice: A Case Study on Unemployment Compensation and the Male Norm

Deborah A. Maranville

University of Washington School of Law

April 5, 1992

Hastings Law Journal, Vol. 43, p. 1081, 1992

Abstract:
Drawing on the example of an unemployment compensation hearing handled in a law school clinic, I argue that a familiarity with feminist legal theory’s insights concerning the gendered effects of our legal institutions can help a legal practitioner recognize the potential for new legal arguments. The hearing challenged a policy that limited benefits to individuals seeking full-time work, a policy encompassing a “male norm” in a public benefits program originally targeted at workers complying with a “male” vision of the ideal worker.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 8

Keywords: unemployment insurance compensation, feminist legal theory, theory-practice, gender, male norm, public benefits

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Date posted: December 21, 2009 ; Last revised: May 31, 2012

Suggested Citation

Maranville, Deborah A., Feminist Theory and Legal Practice: A Case Study on Unemployment Compensation and the Male Norm (April 5, 1992). Hastings Law Journal, Vol. 43, p. 1081, 1992. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1524496

Contact Information

Deborah A. Maranville (Contact Author)

University of Washington School of Law ( email )

William H. Gates Hall
Box 353020
Seattle, WA 98105-3020
United States
206.685.6803 (Phone)
206.685.2388 (Fax)