Beginning with colonial times and moving to the present, Otten examines women's struggle for social, economic, political, and civic equality, using key Supreme Court decisions as the basis for chronicling the changing position of women in American society. Otten provides students with a knowledge base from which to address questions such as: Does the Constitution really protect women? Despite gains in status and legal protection, has the position of women in society really improved? What is the ultimate status of women as defined by U.S. law? Do the decisions of the Supreme Court reflect a consistency in the Court's thinking regarding women and their rightful place in society? When addressing issues related to women's rights, have the Justices of the Court engaged in social activism or simple judicial interpretation? Throughout, the author emphasizes that women's struggle for self-determination and equality is also that of men's.

Beginning with colonial times and moving to the present, Otten examines women's struggle for social, economic, political, and civic equality, using key Supreme Court decisions as the basis for chronicling the changing position of women in American society. Otten provides students with a knowledge base from which to address questions such as: Does the Constitution really protect women? Despite gains in status and legal protection, has the position of women in society really improved? What is the ultimate status of women as defined by U.S. law? Do the decisions of the Supreme Court reflect a consistency in the Court's thinking regarding women and their rightful place in society? When addressing issues related to women's rights, have the Justices of the Court engaged in social activism or simple judicial interpretation? Throughout, the author emphasizes that women's struggle for self-determination and equality is also that of men's.