Exploring the latest controversies on reproductive rights, offering new material on lesbian issues, and assessing the special concerns of black women, this volume explores in detail women's roles, rights, and expectations, focusing not only on traditional family and societal issues, but also on feminist positions and ongoing arguments about sexuality, abortion, equality in the workplace, and other concerns that have generated heated debates in our social organizations and legislatures. The scope of the Second Edition is wide, encompassing historical background information on key issues, reviews of legal battles and rulings, surveys of economic realities, how to acquire and exercise political power, arguments for equal pay for equal work, and much more. This readable and information-filled overview of women's legal, social, and economic status in contemporary society is a valuable reference for librarians, students, and general readers.