On this day March 23 1981 the US Supreme Court upheld a California law that made statutory rape a crime only a man could commit. The ruling in Michael M. v. Superior Court of Sonoma County reinforced the idea that men bore sole legal responsibility in cases of underage sexual activity. The case involved a 17 year old male who argued that the law was unconstitutional because it did not apply equally to both genders. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the law was justified since it aimed to prevent teenage pregnancies and protect young women from exploitation. The decision sparked debates about gender equality in the legal system and how laws should address consent and responsibility.
80s insight: The Supreme Court’s ruling was based partly on the argument that women already faced consequences such as pregnancy while men needed additional legal deterrents.