Focusing on the language and symbols of reform, Fineman argues that by advocating measures based on equality of treatment rather than of outcome, liberal feminists disregarded the socioeconomic factors that simultaneously place women at a disadvantage in the market and favor their taking on primary domestic responsibilities.
The book presents a critical examination of the tension between the ideal of self-reliance in American culture and the actual interdependence of society. Amidst the ongoing debates over gay marriage and family structures, the author, Martha Albertson Fineman, advocates for public policies that acknowledge and address the complexities of communal living. By challenging traditional notions of family, she encourages a broader understanding of social relationships and their implications for legal and policy frameworks.