Craig v. Boren (1976) established which standard for evaluating gender discrimination?

• A. Strict scrutiny
• B. Medium scrutiny
• C. Rational basis
• D. No special standard

Answer: (B)

Gender discrimination is evaluated under a heightened form of review called intermediate scrutiny. Craig v. Boren established this standard: laws that classify by gender must be substantially related to an important government objective. In the case, the Court struck down Oklahoma’s beer-age law because the state couldn’t show that the difference in ages bore a substantial relation to public safety, failing the test.

Under this standard, the government must demonstrate that the objective is important and that the gender-based distinction is substantially related to achieving that objective. It’s more demanding than rational basis but not as stringent as strict scrutiny, which requires a compelling interest and narrow tailoring. This is why the correct conclusion is that intermediate scrutiny governs gender classifications.

The other options don’t fit: strict scrutiny would require a compelling purpose and narrowly tailored means, which isn’t what Craig applied to gender. Rational basis is too lenient for gender-based laws, and there is in fact a special standard for gender classifications, not no special standard.