Feminist Legal Theory and Stone’s Panes of the Glass Ceiling

Rona Kaufman, Duquesne University Kline School of LawFollow

Keywords

Feminism, women's rights, sociology, sex equality, Family Medical Leave Act, Panes of the Glass Ceiling

Abstract

This comprehensive analysis, divided into three parts, navigates the intricate tapestry of discrimination against women in the American workplace. Part I elucidates the historical and theoretical foundations, spanning feminist theory evolution, the modern women's movement, and the trajectory of women's labor force participation. In Part II, the discussion delves into the critical insights of Professor Kerri Stone's groundbreaking work, "Panes of the Glass Ceiling," connecting each identified glass pane to feminist theory. Part III introduces a novel perspective by appending a 10th pane to the glass ceiling: Patriarchal Violence. This addition underscores the pervasive impact of gender-based violence on women's professional trajectories, offering a holistic framework to address and eradicate systemic barriers to equality.