Rapunzel and the Lure of Equal Citizenship

Law Text Culture, Vol. 8, Issue (1), 2004

35 Pages Posted: 25 Jun 2013

Date Written: 01 01, 2004

Abstract

This paper argues that citizenship embodies a paradox for women because it simultaneously tantalises and essentialises, liberates and oppresses. Despite the universality of citizenship discourse, the vestiges of the Kantian idea of passive citizenship with its suggestions of a defective will continue to be socially and juridically instantiated. Illustrations are drawn mainly from Australian case law that highlights the constitutive role of judges. The paper concludes with some ruminations as to the gendered meaning of citizenship with particular regard to the contemporary phenomena of neoliberalism and terrorism. Rapunzel may have been rescued from the tower but what is she is now free to do?

Suggested Citation

Thornton, Margaret, Rapunzel and the Lure of Equal Citizenship (01 01, 2004). Law Text Culture, Vol. 8, Issue (1), 2004, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2283976

Margaret Thornton (Contact Author)

ANU College of Law ( email )

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200
Australia

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