Discrimination against Women

How frequently do women experience sexist discrimination? Is it widespread or concentrated in specific populations? Does sexism have any effect on womens mental or physical health? How can we measure the impact of sexism, both blatant and subtle, on women exposed to it? In Discrimination Against Women, authors Hope Landrine and Elizabeth A. Klonoff offer the first empirically validated scale for measuring the health effects of sexism and present their findings from using the scale on a large sample of women they surveyed. The authors report on their studies assessing the frequency of discrimination against women and examining the physical and mental health impact of that discrimination. They found both that sexist discrimination is rampant in America and that it contributes significantly to physical and psychiatric symptoms among women. To make their scientific findings more accessible across disciplines and professions, the authors have included contributions from leading psychologists on what women can do about discrimination in their lives. They then present a review of the laws regarding discrimination against women to provide women with basic information on the legal status of discrimination suits. An appendix offers a guide through the methodological issues underlying the authors sexism scale and findings and provides a primer for readers unfamiliar with scientific research and statistics. This volume is ideally suited to inform clinical workers and trainers, deepen discussions in womens studies, and enrich the perspectives of professionals who work with women and those who establish policies that have an effect on them.