Feminism and Legal Method: The Difference It Makes
![handle is hein.journals/aujls3 and id is 30 raw text is: 30 Australian Journal of Law and Society
FEMINISM AND LEGAL METHOD:
THE DIFFERENCE IT MAKES
Mary Jane Mossman*
Introduction
The fact that our understanding of Homo Sapiens has
incorporated the perspective of only half of the human race
makes it clear that women's studies is not an additional
knowledge merely to be tacked on to the curriculum. It is,
instead, a body of knowledge that is perspective transforming
and should therefore transform the existing curriculum from
within and revise received notions of what constitutes an
objective or normative perspective (Langland and Gove
1981:3).
These words appeared in A Feminist Perspective in the
Academy: The Difference it Makes, a book of essays about the impact of
feminist ideas on a number of academic disciplines, including literature,
drama, economics, sociology, history, political science, anthropology,
psychology, and religious studies. The authors of these essays suggested
that a feminist perspective has only just begun to affect the shape of
what is known - and knowable - in their respective disciplines (at 2).
The authors also asserted that a feminist perspective challenges
deeply held, often sacred beliefs, beliefs that- are rooted in emotions and
expressed in primitive imagery. As well, it challenges vested interests,
land] uproots perspectives which are familiar, and, because familiar,
comfortable. In short, feminist ideas are a challenge to the status quo
(1981:2-3).
Given these perceptions about the transforming impact of feminism
on the world of ideas in general, it is curious that this collection did not
include an essay about the impact of feminist ideas on law.' Moreover,
what seems at first glance a mere oversight becomes on closer inspection
a question of great significance: to what extent can feminist theory
impact, if at all, on the structure of legal inquiry? In the law's process
of determining facts, choosing and applying principles, and reaching
Vol 3, 1986](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/aujls3&div=5&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
What Is HeinOnline?
Contact us for annual subscription options:
Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?
profiles profiles most
Feminism and Legal Method: The Difference It Makes
Contact us for annual subscription options:
Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?
profiles profiles most