The Myths and Justifications of Sex Segregation in Higher Education: VMI and The Citadel

Access to higher education, particularly to the specialized and elite education that is part of the tracking system leading to prestigious and highly remunerative positions, is a measure of equality. This article argues that segregated schooling for women limits their access to the same educational and associational opportunities men have, and that arguments supporting segregation are based on unsound criteria. It further argues that whatever the intent or ideological underpinning of such arguments, they ultimately have a negative outcome for women’s equality in society

Rationales and Realities: Social Change, Women and the Law

The legal profession has undergone a revolution and incremental changes of enormous significance in the last two decades. For many affected by these changes it has been the best of times, for others it has been the worst of times. Some of these changes developed internally from forces within the profession, and some were generated by pressures in other institutions and in the larger society. There is a changing culture in the workplace of law, in the law schools, and in the nation. But by no means does this mean that the changes are consistent. On the contrary, we are witnessing tugs and tensions on both the ideological or normative level and the structural, organizational level. This paper will enumerate some of these specifically

Workplace Boundaries: Conceptions and Creations

Social analysts have long been concerned with the changing workplace and its consequences for society and for individual workers. Today as well, under conditions of global technological and organizational transformation, work and its contents and discontents pose new questions for research and social policy

Glass Ceilings and Open Doors: Women\u27s Advancement in the Legal Profession

This is a study exploring women\u27s integration into large corporate law practices and their mobility within firms

The Impact of the Economic Downturn on Women Lawyers in the United States

Although women have made considerable inroads in the legal profession over the past four decades, a review of their distribution in various types of practice in the United States shows that, compared to their male colleagues, they have been affected disproportionately by the recent economic downturn, although not in every sphere of the profession. This study reviews research, articles in the legal press, and online blogs that report women\u27s access to equity partnerships has been stalled, their representation in part-time employment has increased, and they are disproportionately recruited or diverted to positions as staff or contract attorneys. Women\u27s access to prime legal jobs has diminished, and they face employment strategies that no longer favor diversity in the profession. Furthermore, the recession has had an impact on the hiring and retention of minority lawyers although firms feel pressure to retain them. There is some indication of growing opportunity for women as corporation counsels in large corporations. There is also some indication that a smaller proportion of women are applying for and entering law schools. Women in Legal Practice: Global and Local Perspectives, Symposium, June 5-8, 2012. Annual Meeting of the Law and Society Association