The Female Factor: Will three women really change the court?

[usregimechange]

Paul J. Richards / AFP-Getty Images; Photo by Mark Wilson / Getty Images


Much has been made of the fact that Elena Kagan’s ascent to the Supreme Court means that for the first time in American history there will be three women on the high court. But beyond the fact that the court will be slightly more representative of the American people, and the possibility of yet more white lacy scarves from on high, what does the difference between having one, two, or three women at the court really signify?

Social scientists contend that the difference is more than just cosmetic. They cite a 2006 study by the Wellesley Centers for Women that found three to be the magic number when it came to the impact of women on corporate boards: after the third woman is seated, boards reach a tipping point at which the group as a whole begins to function differently. According to Sumru Erkut, one of the authors of that study, the small group as a whole becomes more collaborative, and more open to different perspectives. In no small part, she writes, that’s because once a critical mass of three women is achieved on a board, it’s more likely that all the women will be heard...

Nobody has been a stronger advocate for the need to reach a critical mass on the court than Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. While she is usually reticent about all things soft and snuggly, she has been ever more vocal about the lack of women on the court. As she explained to Mark Sherman of the Associated Press in early August, at least once every term for the 13 years they shared the bench, someone arguing a case would mistake her for Sandra Day O’Connor or vice versa. Last term nobody mistook her for Sonia Sotomayor, however, and she contends that the days in which the first two women were “curiosities” are finally over.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/30/can-three-women-really-change-the-supreme-court.html


Now we just need a couple more.

[mucifer]

1. K and R

[Hekate]

2. Women bring a much-needed difference of perspective. Very interesting study about critical mass....

... on boards being 3. I very much hope that Obama gets to make another appointment and chooses to do so with an additional woman. Everyone speculates about Ginsberg because of her health issues, but if we are very, very fortunate someone like Fat Tony will decide to spend more time with his family.

Hekate

just a note: When I read the OP there were 3 Recs. I Recc'd it -- and the number remained 3. Why would someone unrec this article?

[Pirate Smile]

3. An ode to "Three as the Magic Number" from Schoolhouse Rock

Schoolhouse Rock - Three is a Magic Number
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA69pmhrBiE&feature=related

[Bitwit1234]

4. I have a feeling that we might soon have a female chief justice.

[Pirate Smile]

5. Huh?

I hope so but it seems extremely unlikely. Why do you have that feeling - just random or something else?

[customerserviceguy]

6. Ginsburg's not going to be there too many more years

Even if she overcomes her health issues, she's getting up there in years. I have doubts that she'll be replaced by a female Justice, especially if she doesn't resign at the end of the Court's next term.