9 Outrageously Sexist US Laws I Discovered This Week

For centuries, women have been subjected to an array of oppressive laws and customs that have denied them fundamental human rights. From the struggle for suffrage to the fight for equal pay and reproductive rights, achieving gender equality has always been a hard-fought battle. According to a 2023 United Nations report, it might take another 286 years before women attain full legal equality worldwide.

Looking back at American history reveals some particularly archaic laws targeting women that persisted far longer than one would expect in a progressive society. This article takes you through some of these bizarre restrictions:

In colonial Massachusetts during the 17th century, high heels were banned because puritans believed they were seductive and could be used as instruments of witchcraft. Any woman found wearing heels in an attempt to “ensnare” men risked being tried as a witch.

Fashion choices continued to be legislated well into modern times with cities like Cleveland imposing rules about what was considered appropriate attire for women in public spaces. For instance, city ordinances prohibited showing "too much cleavage" or wearing patent leather shoes – ostensibly so men wouldn't be tempted by reflective glimpses up their skirts.

The early 20th century saw many state legislatures restrict working hours for women under misguided notions that night shifts would compromise their moral and physical integrity. In New York State, this meant prohibiting female workers from clocking in between 9 pm and 6 am.

This trend towards restricting employment opportunities extended even further when Michigan’s law barring females from becoming licensed bartenders was upheld by the Supreme Court in Goesaert v Cleary (1948). The case argued against discriminating against female bar employees while allowing exceptions for wives and daughters of male bar owners but lost six votes to three.

Even socializing over drinks proved problematic with Washington State enforcing legislation until late into the ‘60s preventing establishments from selling liquor to unaccompanied females seated at bars – although taverns were exempt from this rule. This ban was eventually overturned in 1969 following a lawsuit against the state's Liquor Control Board.

Women faced similar restrictions when it came to dining out or shopping alone during the 19th century, particularly within middle and upper-class circles. It was considered improper for women to be out in public without male accompaniment with many stores refusing them service unless they had an escort.

Even personal identity wasn’t spared by these laws with married women often compelled to adopt their husband’s surname upon marriage.

Looking back at these bizarre laws provides a stark reminder of how far society has come in terms of gender equality while also underlining just how much further there is still left to go. Do you know any other strange old laws that targeted women? Feel free to share them in the comments below!