Gómez Molla, R. (2022). ¿Cosas de mujer? Abogadas, escribanas y juezas entre la profesión y el cuidado (La Plata, 1950s-1970s). La Plata: Editorial de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata

Abstract

The text examines the incorporation of the first generations of women into legal professions in the city of La Plata between the 1950s and 1970s, within a context marked by the persistence of traditional gender models. From an approach that combines the social history of professions with gender studies, it analyzes the trajectories of female lawyers, notaries, and judges who had to negotiate their professional recognition in historically male-dominated spaces. The study integrates quantitative sources—such as university records and professional statistics—with oral testimonies, allowing for the reconstruction of these pioneers’ subjective experiences. It also addresses the tensions between paid work and domestic responsibilities, interpreted through the notion of “double presence.” Overall, the analysis reveals how cultural norms and gender stereotypes shaped women’s opportunities in the legal field, without preventing their gradual professional inclusion and legitimization. This research thus contributes to understanding the feminization processes of legal professions in Argentina and to reflecting on the continuities and transformations in the relationship between gender, work, and care.