Feminist Ethics and Social Policy

Much work in feminist ethics has been rather abstract. The editors of this work believe that the time has come to assess the potential contribution of feminist ethical theory to the evaluation of specific social policies. If feminist ethics has indeed mobilized important paradigm shifts in normative analysis, then this should enable creative ways of reflection on social policy. Feminist ethics criticizes the gender blindness and biases in much traditional ethical theory, and develops new theories and concepts that are more gender sensitive. Feminist ethics also works to conceptualize issues of right action, social justice, and the human good from out of the specifically gendered experience of diverse groups of women. Feminist ethics has no single set of questions or propositions, but includes a variety of approaches as demonstrated by these essays--some operate within a liberal framework of equality, freedom, justice, and rights, while others are more critical of mainstream liberal versions of these concepts.

Feminist Ethics and Social Policy presents complex social issues in light of a feminist ethical perspective. The spirited essays collected here critique gender blindness and biases in traditional ethical theory while developing more gender-sensitive theories and concepts. Taken together, they conceptualize issues of right action, social justice, and the human good out of the specifically gendered experience of diverse groups of women.

Patrice DiQuinzio, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Director of Women's Studies at Muhlenberg College, has published articles in Hypatia and Women and Politics.

Iris Marion Young, Professor of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, is the author of Throwing Like a Girl and Justice and the Politics of Difference.

Introduction

Patrice DiQuinzio and Iris Marion Young

1. Taking Dependency Seriously: The Family Medical Leave Act Considered in Light of the Social

Organization of Dependency Work and Gender Equality, Eva Fetter Kittay

2. Reconciling Equality to Difference: Caring (F)or Justice for People with Disabilities, Anita Silvers

3. Feminist Ethics and Public Health Care Policies: A Case Study of the Netherlands, Selma Sevenhuijsen

4. The Combat Exclusion and the Role of Women in the Military, Judith Wagner DeCew

5. Fathers' Rights, Mothers' Wrongs? Reflections on Unwed Fathers' Rights and Sex Equality,

Mary L. Shanley

6. Does Comparable Worth Have Radical Potential?, Carolyn H. Magid

7. "Male-Order" Brides: Immigrant Women, Domestic Violence, and Immigration Law, Uma Narayan

8. Stranger Violence--An Easy Case, Sharon E. Hartline

9. Mixed Black and White Race and Public Policy, Naomi Zack

10. Agency and Alliance in Public Discourses and Sexualities, Janet R. Jakobsen

11. "Undemocratic Afflictions": A Feminist Response to the AIDS Epidemic, Kate Mehuron

12. Pornography: An Uncivil Liberty?, Alisa L. Carse

13. Beauty and Breast Implantation: How Candidate Selection Affects Autonomy and Informed Consent,

Lisa S. Parker

14. Sex-Selective Abortion: A Relational Approach, Gail Weiss

Notes on Contributors

Index