Feminist and Queer Legal Theory

The six suggestions made by Martha Chamallas

The six suggestions made by Martha Chamallas are essential for understanding feminist legal theory. The actions place the various opinions and perceptions of the general public and professionals who support the promotion of the feminist agenda in context. Double blinds and problems resulting from the difference are one of the six moves that Chamallas (10) offers. She makes the argument that researchers participating in various forms of feminism are more interested in what constitutes such progress than popular media portrays women as having achieved equality with men. Sexism has remained resilient in society as evidenced in the works of Williams.

The false representation of gender equality

According to Williams (99), the working-class families are seen to have accomplished the ultimate goal of feminism where women are equal to men. However, in reality, this remains false when critically analyzed. The women, irrespective of their status at the workplaces, often avoid the market solutions offered by the feminists to solve some of the challenges they face at home. The women, due to financial restrictions, are compelled to undertake specific tasks such as dry cleaning, folding clothes at night, general cleaning while away at work, washing toilets, and floors. Through this, though the media may capture them as equals to men, back at home, the women continue to execute roles that were traditionally perceived to be for women. Additionally, trading family care roles in modern society are increasingly becoming complex. Irrespective of the positions held by women, some aspects of family care still fall under their mandates.

Implicit bias and exemplification of male norms

Another move suggested by Chamallas and that is explicitly evident in the work of Williams is implicit bias and exemplification of male norms in society. The bias against women can be legally brought to the fore through a critique of how women are disadvantaged by noncontroversial legal concepts. Working-class women often abandon the push for equality against their male counterparts for fear of compromising the stability of their families. Despite the legal structures being in place for the advancement of gender equality, women tend to adopt the traditional approach when they execute their family obligations. In many cases, as elaborated by Williams (103), the women often feel they have failed to invest adequately in the well-being of their families. Through this perception, women tend to relax in their quest to demand equality with men. Through this, Williams demonstrates that women advance the gender bias and male dominance, which conforms to one of the six moves offered by Chamallas.

The study of feminist legal theory helps in advancing comprehension

The study of feminist legal theory helps in advancing one’s comprehension of many of the concepts of law and society. In particular, the law is helpful in the understanding of why, despite multiple laws being in place, the attainment of absolute gender equality has been far from reality. A possible explanation from the readings is why women, who are supposed to be in the forefront in the quest for equality, fail to apply the laws to the latter. For instance, working-class families tend to resort to the traditional modes of operations rather than live to the spirit of the law. Another instrumental impact of studying feminist legal theory is to be able to understand the rationale for arguments behind certain laws enacted to guide the concept of gender equality. Therefore, the study of feminist legal theory advances one’s knowledge in multiple ways.

Works Cited

Chamallas, Martha. Introduction to Feminist Legal Theory. New York: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, 2013.

Williams, Joan. “Implementing Antiessentialism: How gender wars turn into race and class conflict” In Feminist Legal Theory: An Anti-Essentialist Reader. Ed. Dowd, Nancy E., and Jacobs S. Michelle. New York: New York Univ. Press, 2003.