NCJ Number
54163
Journal
Journal of Legal Education Volume: 25 Issue: 5 Dated: (1973) Pages: 503-513
Date Published
1973
Length
11 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE REPORTED FROM A QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO 81 LAW SCHOOLS INQUIRING ABOUT ADMISSIONS, FACULTY, PLACEMENT, AND INTRASCHOOL POLICIES AS THEY EFFECT WOMEN.
Abstract
OF THE 124 CONTACTED LAW SCHOOLS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF LAW SCHOOLS, 81 RESPONDED TO THE FOUR-PART QUESTIONNAIRE. THE QUESTIONNAIRE COVERED 4 ACADEMIC YEARS (1969-1970 TO 1972-1973). DATA ON ADMISSIONS REVEALED THAT THE ACCEPTANCE RATE OF FEMALE APPLICATIONS WAS 43 PERCENT IN 1972-1973, AS COMPARED TO THE OVERALL ACCEPTANCE RATE OF 18 PERCENT IN THAT YEAR; HOWEVER, WOMEN STILL MAKE UP ONLY 7.4 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICANTS, UP FROM 1.7 PERCENT IN 1969-1970. ATTRITION DATA SHOWED 32 PERCENT OF MALE STUDENTS WHO WITHDREW (AS COMPARED TO 24 PERCENT OF FEMALES) DID SO FOR ACADEMIC REASONS, 5 PERCENT OF MALES AND 8 PERCENT OF FEMALES WHO WITHDREW DID SO FOR FINANCIAL REASONS; WHILE 5 PERCENT OF THE MALES AND 7 PERCENT OF THE FEMALES WHO WITHDREW DID SO BECAUSE OF FAMILY OBLIGATIONS. DATA ON FACULTY INDICATED THAT THERE ARE MORE MEN AT THE TOP LEVELS OF FULL PROFESSOR AND DEANS, WHILE THERE ARE MORE FEMALES AT THE LOWEST RANK OF INSTRUCTOR, WITH NO TENURE. REPORTS ON DISCRIMINATION IN THE JOB PLACEMENT OF FEMALE GRADUATES SHOWED THAT MOST DISCRIMINATION OCCURED IN THE TYPES OF QUESTIONS ASKED OF WOMEN, SUCH AS WHETHER OR NOT THEY PLANNED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WHO WOULD BE IDENTIFIED AS SALARY LEVELS AND PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE LESS FOR WOMEN THAN MEN IN THEIR ORGANIZATION. MOST OF THE SCHOOLS REPORTING GRANT LEAVES OF ABSENCE TO BOTH FACULTY AND STUDENTS FOR MATERNITY, AND ONLY 3 SCHOOLS REPORTED THAT THE PREGNANCY OF AN UNMARRIED STUDENT OR APPLICANT WOULD HAVE ANY BEARING ON HER STATUS AT LAW SCHOOL. SCHOLARSHIPS, HONORS, OR ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO FEMALE STUDENTS ON THE SAME BASIS AS MALE STUDENTS AT 12 PEERCENT OF THE SCHOOLS. ONLY ONE OF THE LAW SCHOOLS REPORTING HAS A DAY CARE CENTER FOR CHILDREN OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF. HALF OF THE SCHOOLS OFFER A COURSE ON WOMEN AND THE LAW; OTHERS OFFER A SEMINAR OR INCLUDE THIS TOPIC IN A FAMILY LAW OR A DISCRIMINATION-AND-THE-LAW COURSE. IT IS NOTED THAT SINCE THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS PREPARED, TITLE 9 OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972 (HIGHER EDUCATION ACT) HAS BECOME PART OF THE FEDERAL ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW. THESE SEX DISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS ARE PATTERNED AFTER TITLE 6 OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT WHICH FORBIDS DISCRIMINATION OF RACE, COLOR, AND NATIONAL ORIGIN IN ALL FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS. (RCB)