Sex discrimination has been banned, by federal and state law, in employment, education and housing. The right to abortion, while still under attack, is guaranteed by the Constitution. Paternalistic labor laws, that in the name of protecting women, served to keep them out of better paying jobs, have been abolished. As a result, women today participate in all realms of society on a more equal basis than ever before. But legally sanctioned discrimination still persists.
Women still earn far less than men for the same work.
Women are excluded from certain educational opportunities. In spite of extraordinary progress, full equality for women remains an unfulfilled goal.