In a much-anticipated revision, the third edition of this widely used volume continues to track the impact of cultural change on women`s roles and the public policies that affect their lives. Women and Public Policy places a broad range of policy issues--from education and health care to economic equity and the criminal justice system--in historical context, discusses the formation and implementation of current policy, and explores public policy silences. In addition to featuring and analyzing new data, this third edition:

• highlights issues of race, class, age, and ethnicity, showing how they intersect with gender in crucial ways.


• includes greatly expanded coverage of reproductive issues with a new chapter devoted to the topic, looking comprehensively at contraception and abortion, the international gag rule, RU-486, the morning after pill, later-term abortion developments, and reproductive technologies.


• showcases recent developments in all policy areas, from the impact of welfare reform on educational opportunities and child support enforcement to a discussion of Medicare and prescription drug coverage.