Laws in America have determined that, among other forms of discrimination, discrimination against a woman violates her constitutional rights. Discrimination of women is a form of sex discrimination, which is specified as unlawful according to federal law. Discrimination against a women usually involves her being denied an opportunity that a man has been granted, even though the two are of equal status. This type of discrimination is subject to occur in virtually any setting, and is every bit illegal regardless of where it takes place, with only a few exceptions.

The most common types of discrimination against women take place in employment, education, housing, or lending. In fact, under federal legislation, each of these environments are governed by their own laws that prohibit gender discrimination. According to the Equal Pay Act, women being employed must be provided equal pay to a man of equal stature, qualifications, and ability. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which deals with lending, bars financial institutions from denying credit or loans because of a person's sex. Additionally, states and cities may place laws into effect that offer added explanation & protection to the federal laws.