1. World problems
  2. Male bias of law

Male bias of law

  • Legal bias against women

Nature

The law embodies a masculine way of looking at the world. Its objectivity and neutrality is a myth. Few if any standard legal texts or doctrines refer to or acknowledge the existence of women. Many legal principles and doctrines are based on assumptions about society, women, and the relationship of the sexes that women do not accept.

Incidence

An example of "male law" is the modern law of obscenity, which is incapable of understanding the harm done to women by pornography for several major reasons. It views the publication of pornography as mere speech rather than a concrete social activity. It is premised upon strong non-contextual notions of individualism which inhibit comprehending group harm. It sees pornography simplistically as a question of nudity and morality rather than as a question of power. The legal system has failed to consider pornography from a woman's point of view. This is why the courts have been unable to perceive the horror of robbing women of their humanity. To be portrayed as a sex object is to be portrayed as a non-human.

Broader

Aggravates

Pornography
Excellent
Misandrony
Yet to rate

Aggravated by

Reduces

Related

Value

Lawfulness
Yet to rate
Illegality
Yet to rate
Bias
Yet to rate

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender EqualitySustainable Development Goal #10: Reduced InequalitySustainable Development Goal #16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems
Subject
  • Law » Law
  • Law » Legality
  • Societal problems » Imbalances
  • Society » Men
  • Society » Women
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    Last update
    May 19, 2022