California Requires Women on Corp Boards by law.

[Dr H]

I don't see how this relates to the new California law for placing women on corporate boards.

It relates to Rob's point that there can be cases in which forcing a quota does more harm than good, if there aren't applicants available to meet a particular quota.  

A law which, by the way, doesn't require boards to be populated 50% by women.

Um... yes it does:

"No later than the close of the 2021 calendar year, the bill would increase that required minimum number to 2 female directors if the corporation has 5 directors or to 3 female directors if the corporation has 6 or more directors."

Two out of five is 40%; three out of six is 50%.

It's not a zero sum game.
Women have been purposefully kept out of a number of arenas in the US for generations. Often with the complicity of many women themselves, sadly.

I don't disagree with that.

My point stands. It's too bad that a law has to be passed and society won't change on its own volition but if that's what it takes to break through inequality, so be it.

And my point stands -- passing a law won't fix this; it rarely ever does.

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There's no easy solution, I agree. But the system is flawed, and it's going to take aeons before this gets fixed in a natural manner (i.e., without a fight).

So, fight.

Major social change comes about through social movements, not through working within the system that is already stacked against you.

Why not gradually address aspects of it until the whole system has been revamped properly?

Because the system will never get revamped in that way.  It's bailing a sinking ship with a leaky cup, when what is needed in a new ship.

That said, there's nothing wrong with trying to use all available means to try to effect change.
It's just something of a waste of effort to use a less effective means, when more effective means are available.

Why continue fostering sexist attitudes against women, especially when the rationale for such mindset isn't warranted?

Passing a law rarely changes any attitudes or mindsets.
Look at Prohibition, or the Civil Rights Act.