Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld
Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld is a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed gender discrimination within the Social Security Act. The ruling emerged in the context of ongoing debates regarding equal protection under the law, particularly following the precedent set by Reed v. Reed, which declared that classifications based on gender were unconstitutional. In Weinberger, the Court unanimously found that a provision of the Social Security Act, which provided benefits exclusively to widows but not to widowers, was discriminatory. This decision marked a significant step towards gender equality in the realm of social benefits, as it rejected the notion that favorable treatment of women could justify unequal treatment of men. The case underscored the complexities surrounding gender classifications and highlighted the importance of fair treatment for all individuals, regardless of gender. The ruling was delivered by Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., with support from other notable justices, reinforcing the Court's commitment to eliminating gender bias in legal frameworks. Overall, Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld represents a critical moment in the evolution of gender equality in American law.
Weinberger v. Wiesenfeld
Date: March 19, 1975
Citation: 420 U.S. 636
Issue: Sex discrimination
Significance: The Supreme Court overturned a provision of the Social Security Act that awarded benefits to widows but not widowers.
In the aftermath of Reed v. Reed (1971), in which the Supreme Court ruled that classifying by gender is an equal protection violation, the Court faced the problem that many “benign” classifications favored women over men. In Kahn v. Shevin (1974), the Court was badly divided when it upheld a Florida law giving tax relief to widows but not to widowers. In Weinberger, however, the Court unanimously struck down a provision of the Social Security Act that awarded benefits to widows but not widowers. Justice William J. Brennan, Jr., wrote the opinion for the Court. Chief Justice Warren E. Burger and Justices Lewis F. Powell, Jr., and William H. Rehnquist concurred.
