Califano v. Westcott 443 U.S. 76 (1979)

• Author: Kenneth L. Karst
• Pages: 293-294

Page 293

The Supreme Court unanimously found unconstitutional SEX DISCRIMINATION in a federal law providing WELFARE BENEFITS to families whose children were dependent because fathers (but not mothers) were unemployed. The discrimination was based on sexual stereotyping that assumed fathers were breadwinners and mothers homemakers, and was not substantially related to the goal of providing for dependent children. Four Justices would have invalidated the benefits granted by the statute. A majority of five, speaking through Justice HARRY A. BLACKMUN,

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instead construed the statute to extend benefits to children of unemployed mothers as well as fathers.

KENNETH L. KARST

(1986)