craig boren argued october decided december appellant craig male years old appellant whitener licensed vendor beer brought action declaratory injunctive relief claiming oklahoma statutory scheme prohibiting sale nonintoxicating beer males age females age constituted discrimination denied males years age equal protection laws recognizing reed reed later cases establish classification gender must substantially important governmental objectives district held appellees statistical evidence regarding young males arrests traffic injuries demonstrated discrimination substantially related achievement traffic safety oklahoma roads held since declaratory injunctive relief enforcement differential sought controversy mooted craig became noted probable jurisdiction see defunis odegaard whitener standing make equal protection challenge pp prudential objective thought served limitations jus tertii standing furthered lower already entertained constitutional challenge parties sought resolution constitutional issue pp whitener event independently established standing suffers injury fact since challenged statutory provisions addressed vendors like either must obey statutory provisions incur economic injury disobey statute suffer sanctions circumstances vendors may resist efforts restrict operations advocating rights third parties seeking access market see eisenstadt baird pp oklahoma differential constitutes invidious discrimination males years age violation equal protection clause appellees statistics relevant show females males age group arrested driving influence liquor warrant conclusion sex represents accurate proxy regulation drinking driving pp operation amendment alter application equal protection standards otherwise govern case never recognized application amendment defeat otherwise established claim equal protection clause principles rendered inapplicable reliance upon statistically measured generalities concerning drinking tendencies aggregate groups pp brennan delivered opinion white marshall powell stevens joined part blackmun joined powell post stevens post filed concurring opinions blackmun filed statement concurring part post stewart filed opinion concurring judgment post burger post rehnquist post filed dissenting opinions frederick gilbert argued cause filed briefs appellants james gray assistant attorney general oklahoma argued cause appellees brief larry derryberry attorney general ruth bader ginsburg melvin wulf filed brief american civil liberties union amicus curiae urging reversal justice brennan delivered opinion interaction two sections oklahoma statute okla tit supp prohibits sale nonintoxicating beer males age females age question decided whether differential constitutes denial males years age equal protection laws violation fourteenth amendment action brought district western district oklahoma december appellant craig male years age appellant whitener licensed vendor beer complaint sought declaratory injunctive relief enforcement differential ground constituted invidious discrimination males years age convened sustained constitutionality statutory differential dismissed action supp noted probable jurisdiction appellants appeal reverse first address preliminary question standing appellant craig attained age noted probable jurisdiction therefore since declaratory injunctive relief enforcement differential sought controversy rendered moot craig see defunis odegaard question thus arises whether appellant whitener licensed vendor beer live controversy enforcement statute may rely upon equal protection objections males years age establish claim unconstitutionality differential conclude may initially noted despite opportunity appellees never raised district objection whitener reliance upon claimed unequal treatment males premise equal protection challenge oklahoma beer law see indeed oral argument oklahoma acknowledged appellees always presumed vendor subject sanctions loss license violation statute proper party interest object enforcement regulatory provision tr oral arg concession certainly controlling upon reach constitutional authority exercise jurisdiction art iii see sierra club morton cf data processing service camp decisions settled limitations litigant assertion jus tertii constitutionally mandated rather stem salutary rule designed minimize unwarranted intervention controversies applicable constitutional questions speculative see barrows jackson see also singleton wulff powell dissenting prudential objectives thought enhanced restrictions standing furthered lower already entertained relevant constitutional challenge parties sought least never resisted authoritative constitutional determination circumstances decision us forgo consideration constitutional merits order await initiation new challenge statute injured third parties impermissibly foster repetitive litigation guise caution prudence moreover insofar applicable constitutional questions continue presented vigorously cogently holden hardy denial jus tertii standing deference direct class suit serve functional purpose brother blackmun comment pertinent may class assembled whose fluid membership always included males live claims assertion right representative extent anyway seems little loss terms effective advocacy allowing assertion present jus tertii champion singleton wulff supra event conclude appellant whitener established independently claim assert jus tertii standing operation plainly inflicted injury fact upon appellant sufficient guarantee concrete adverseness baker carr satisfy constitutionally based standing requirements imposed art iii legal duties created statutory sections challenge addressed directly vendors appellant obliged either heed statutory discrimination thereby incurring direct economic injury constriction buyers market disobey statutory command suffer words oklahoma assistant attorney general sanctions perhaps loss license tr oral arg repeatedly recognized injuries establish threshold requirements case controversy mandated art iii see singleton wulff supra doctors receive payments abortion services classically adverse government payer sullivan little hunting park barrows jackson supra vendor standing challenge lawfulness appellant whitener entitled assert concomitant rights third parties diluted adversely affected constitutional challenge fail statutes remain force griswold connecticut see note standing assert constitutional jus tertii harv rev otherwise threatened imposition governmental sanctions might deter appellant whitener similarly situated vendors selling beer young males thereby ensuring enforcement challenged restriction vendor result indirectly violation third parties rights warth seldin accordingly vendors like positions uniformly permitted resist efforts restricting operations acting advocates rights third parties seek access market function see eisenstadt baird sullivan little hunting park supra barrows jackson supra indeed jus tertii question raised answered disposition like argument eisenstadt baird supra state statute imposed legal duties disabilities upon claimant convicted distributing package contraceptive foam third party since statute directed baird penalized conduct hesitate conclude case controversy requirement art iii satisfied considering baird constitutional objections fully recognized standing defend privacy interests third parties deemed crucial decision permit jus tertii standing recognition impact litigation interests defeat baird suit nforcement massachusetts statute materially impair ability single persons obtain contraceptives failure whitener prevail suit continued enforcement materially impair ability males years age purchase beer despite classification overt criterion similarly massachusetts law eisenstadt prohibit ed use distribution consequently least awkward challenger one baird position subject proscription law challenged explicitly regulates sale rather use beer thus leaving vendor obvious claimant therefore hold whitener standing raise relevant equal protection challenges oklahoma law consider arguments ii oklahoma defined commencement civil majority age females age males okla tit supp contrast females held criminally responsible adults age males age okla tit supp appeals tenth circuit held authority reed reed age distinction unconstitutional purposes establishing criminal responsibility adults lamb brown oklahoma legislature fixed age applicable males females okla tit supp also established age majority males females civil matters okla tit supp except beer statute simultaneously codified create exception rule analysis may appropriately begin reminder reed emphasized statutory classifications distinguish males females subject scrutiny equal protection clause withstand constitutional challenge previous cases establish classifications gender must serve important governmental objectives must substantially related achievement objectives thus reed objectives reducing workload probate courts avoiding intrafamily controversy deemed insufficient importance sustain use overt gender criterion appointment administrators intestate decedents estates decisions following reed similarly rejected administrative ease convenience sufficiently important objectives justify classifications see stanley illinois frontiero richardson cf schlesinger ballard two terms ago stanton stanton expressly stating reed reed controlling held reed required invalidation utah differential statute notwithstanding statute coincidence furtherance state purpose fostering old notions role typing preparing boys expected performance economic political worlds reed reed also provided underpinning decisions invalidated statutes employing gender inaccurate proxy germane bases classification hence archaic overbroad generalizations schlesinger ballard supra concerning financial position servicewomen frontiero richardson supra working women weinberger wiesenfeld justify use gender line determining eligibility certain governmental entitlements similarly increasingly outdated misconceptions concerning role females home rather marketplace world ideas rejected characterizations incapable supporting state statutory schemes premised upon accuracy stanton stanton supra taylor louisiana light weak congruence gender characteristic trait gender purported represent necessary legislatures choose either realign substantive laws fashion adopt procedures identifying instances generalization actually comported fact see stanley illinois cf cleveland board education lafleur case reed feel controlling stanton stanton supra turn question whether reed difference males females respect purchase beer warrants differential age drawn oklahoma statute conclude district recognized reed reed controlling applying teachings case found requisite important governmental objective goal proffered oklahoma attorney general concluded statistics introduced appellees established distinction substantially related achievement goal accept purposes discussion district identification objective underlying enhancement traffic safety clearly protection public health safety represents important function state local governments however appellees statistics view support conclusion distinction closely serves achieve objective therefore distinction reed withstand equal protection challenge appellees introduced variety statistical surveys first analysis arrest statistics demonstrated male arrests driving influence drunkenness substantially exceeded female arrests age period similarly youths aged found overrepresented among killed injured traffic accidents males numerically exceeding females regard third random roadside survey oklahoma city revealed young males inclined drive drink beer female counterparts fourth federal bureau investigation nationwide statistics exhibited notable increase arrests driving influence finally statistical evidence gathered jurisdictions particularly minnesota michigan offered corroborate oklahoma experience indicating pervasiveness youthful participation motor vehicle accidents following imbibing alcohol conceding case free doubt district nonetheless concluded statistical showing substantiated rational basis legislative judgment underlying challenged classification even statistical evidence accepted accurate nevertheless offers weak answer equal protection question presented focused relevant statistical surveys arrests driving offenses exemplifies ultimate unpersuasiveness evidentiary record viewed terms correlation sex actual activity oklahoma seeks regulate driving influence alcohol statistics broadly establish females males age group arrested offense disparity trivial statistical sense hardly form basis employment gender line classifying device certainly maleness serve proxy drinking driving correlation must considered unduly tenuous fit indeed prior cases consistently rejected use sex decisionmaking factor even though statutes question certainly rested far predictive empirical relationships moreover statistics exhibit variety shortcomings seriously impugn value equal protection analysis setting aside obvious methodological problems surveys adequately justify salient features oklahoma law none purports measure use dangerousness beer opposed alcohol generally detail particular importance since light low alcohol lever oklahoma apparently considers beverage nonintoxicating okla tit see state ex rel springer bliss moreover many studies graphically documenting unfortunate increase driving influence alcohol make effort relate findings differential involved indeed survey explicitly centered attention upon young drivers use beer albeit apparently diluted variety reached results hardly viewed impressive justifying either gender age classification reason belabor line analysis unrealistic expect either members judiciary state officials well versed rigors experimental statistical technique merely illustrates proving broad sociological propositions statistics dubious business one inevitably tension normative philosophy underlies equal protection clause suffice say showing offered appellees satisfy us sex represents legitimate accurate proxy regulation drinking driving fact recognized oklahoma statute prohibits selling beer young males drinking beverage acquired even purchase female companions relationship gender traffic safety becomes far tenuous satisfy reed requirement difference substantially related achievement statutory objective hold therefore reed oklahoma beer statute invidiously discriminates males years age appellees argue however enforce state policies concerning sale distribution alcohol force amendment therefore held withstand equal protection challenge district response contention unclear assumed amendment strengthened state police powers respect alcohol regulation said standards review equal protection clause mandates relaxed view hold amendment save invidious discrimination invalidation denial equal protection laws violation fourteenth amendment history state regulation alcoholic beverages dates long adoption eighteenth amendment license cases recognized broad authority state governments regulate trade alcoholic beverages within borders free implied restrictions commerce clause later century however leisy hardin undercut theoretical underpinnings license cases led congress acting pursuant powers commerce clause reinvigorate state regulatory role passage wilson acts see clark distilling western maryland upholding act rahrer upholding wilson act passage eighteenth amendment uneasy tension commerce clause state police power temporarily subsided amendment repealed eighteenth amendment wording amendment closely follows wilson acts expressing framers clear intention constitutionalizing commerce clause framework established statutes decisions since confirmed amendment primarily created exception normal operation commerce clause see hostetter idlewild bon voyage liquor carter virginia frankfurter concurring finch mckittrick even however amendment pro tanto repeal commerce clause merely requires provision considered light context issues interests stake concrete case hostetter idlewild bon voyage liquor supra cf department revenue james beam distilling collins yosemite park curry passing beyond consideration commerce clause relevance amendment constitutional provisions becomes increasingly doubtful one commentator remarked neither text history amendment suggests qualifies individual rights protected bill rights fourteenth amendment sale use liquor concerned brest processes constitutional cases materials departures historical view limited sporadic two successfully relied upon amendment respond challenges major liquor importers state authority regulate importation manufacture alcoholic beverages commerce clause fourteenth amendment grounds see mahoney joseph triner state board young market fact however arguments cases centered upon importation intoxicants regulatory area state authority amendment transparently clear hostetter idlewild bon voyage liquor supra touched upon purely economic matters traditionally merit mildest review fourteenth amendment see joseph seagram sons hostetter rejecting fourteenth amendment objections state liquor laws strength ferguson skrupa williamson lee optical cases involving individual rights protected due process clause treated sharp contrast example individual objected mandatory posting name retail liquor establishments characterization excessive drink er amendment held qualify scope due process rights wisconsin constantineau true california larue relied upon amendment strengthen state authority regulate live entertainment establishments licensed dispense liquor least performance partake gross sexuality communication nevertheless never recognized sufficient strength amendment defeat otherwise established claim invidious discrimination violation equal protection clause rather moose lodge irvis establishes state liquor regulatory schemes work invidious discriminations violate equal protection clause following approach federal state courts uniformly declared unconstitutionality gender lines restrain activities customers liquor establishments irrespective operation amendment see white fleming women liberation union israel daugherty daley supp nd seidenberg mcsorleys old ale house supp sdny commonwealth alcoholic beverage control bd burke cf inn kirby cal paterson tavern hawthorne even state officials posited sociological empirical justifications differentiations courts struck discriminations aimed entire class guise alcohol regulation fact social science studies uncovered quantifiable difference drinking tendencies dividing along racial ethnic lines strongly suggest need application equal protection clause preventing discriminatory treatment almost certainly perceived invidious sum principles embodied equal protection clause rendered inapplicable statistically measured generalities concerning drinking tendencies aggregate groups thus hold operation amendment alter application equal protection standards otherwise govern case conclude differential contained okla tit supp constitutes denial equal protection laws males aged reverse judgment district ordered footnotes shall unlawful person holds license sell dispense beer sell barter give minor beverage containing one per cent alcohol measured volume three per cent alcohol measured weight minor purposes section defined female age eighteen years male age years appellants seek class certification craig representative similarly situated males years age see sosna iowa district opinion confirms whitener outset based constitutional challenge grounds challenge made standing requisite interest controversy standing question presented answered principle stated raines one application statute constitutional heard attack statute ground impliedly might also taken applying persons situations application might unconstitutional raines refused permit certain public officials georgia defend application civil rights act official conduct ground statute also might construed encompass purely private actions others raines rule remains germane setting interests litigant rights proposed third parties way mutually interdependent thus successful suit raines threaten impair diminish independent private rights others consequently consideration rights properly deferred another day course raines principle also relaxed legal action claimant threatens chill first amendment rights third parties see lewis new orleans fact baird chose disobey legal duty imposed upon massachusetts anticontraception statute resulting criminal conviction distinguish standing inquiry pertaining anticipatory attack case eisenstadt challenged statutes compel jus tertii claimants either cease proscribed activities suffer appropriate sanctions existence art iii injury fact structure claimant relationship third parties altered litigative posture suit certainly suggestion heard whitener anticipatory challenge offends normal requirements governing actions see generally steffel thompson samuels mackell younger harris kahn shevin schlesinger ballard upholding use classifications rested upon perception laudatory purposes laws remedying disadvantageous conditions suffered women economic military life see needless say case oklahoma suggest differential enacted ensure availability beer women compensation previous deprivations true purpose purpose apparent face statute oklahoma legislature preserve statutory history materials capable clarifying objectives served legislative enactments district acknowledged nonexistence materials necessary reveal actual purpose legislature concluded feel apparent major purpose legislature promote safety young persons affected public generally similarly attorney oklahoma proposing traffic safety legitimate rationale beer law candidly acknowledged oral argument unable assert traffic safety indeed reason gender line contained tr oral arg appeal find adequate appellee representation legislative purpose leaving another day consideration whether statement state assistant attorney general suffice inform legislature objectives whether must determine litigant simply selecting convenient false post hoc rationalization disparities arrests substantial categories offenses versus driving influence alcohol versus drunkenness even assume legislature may rely arrest data situations figures offer support differential age line disproportionate arrests males persisted older ages indeed case arrests drunkenness figures ages indicated even male involvement arrests later ages see also infra survey drew correlation accident figures age group levels intoxication found killed injured analysis results exhibit see infra fbi made attempt relate arrest figures either beer drinking age differential rather found male arrests ages exceeded total obviously arrest statistics embrace individuals drink drive purposes analysis underinclusiveness must discounted somewhat shortcomings inherent statistical sample see infra event decide case light evidence offered oklahoma know way extrapolating arrest statistics take account driving drinking population large including avoided arrest example conjecture reed idaho apparent premise women lacked experience formal business matters particularly compared men proved accurate substantially cases frontiero wiesenfeld expressly found appellees empirical defense mandatory dependency tests men women unsatisfactory even though recognized husbands still far less likely dependent wives vice versa see social stereotypes find reflection laws see stanton stanton likely substantially distort accuracy comparative statistics hence reckless young men drink drive transformed arrest statistics whereas female counterparts chivalrously escorted home see reckless kay female offender report presidential commission law enforcement administration justice moreover oklahoma surveys gathered regime law question effect lacking controls necessary appraisal actual effectiveness male beer prohibition regard disproportionately high arrest statistics young males indeed growing arrest figures ages sexes simply may taken document relative futility controlling driving behavior beer statute like legislation although obviously means estimating many individuals actually prevented drinking laws see nn supra see also infra random roadside survey drivers conducted oklahoma city august found drivers male turning evaluation drinking habits factoring nondrinkers males versus females expressed preference beer men women consumed alcoholic beverage within two hours interview finally blood alcohol concentration greater discovered males compared females figures although contain variations reflect essentially pattern plainly statistical disparities sexes substantial moreover age boundaries lifted drivers analyzed roadside survey indicates male drinking rose slightly whereas female exposure alcohol remained relatively constant survey established compared drivers interviewed age group generally showed lower involvement alcohol terms drunk within past two hours significant bac blood alcohol content ibid sum survey provides little support gender line among teenagers actually runs counter imposition drinking restrictions based upon age see infra wilson act enacted reads pertinent part intoxicating liquors liquids transported state territory shall upon arrival state territory subject operation effect laws state territory enacted exercise police powers extent manner though liquids liquors produced state territory act prohibits shipment transportation intoxicating liquor kind one state territory district state territory district purpose received possessed sold manner used violation law state territory district transportation importation state territory possession delivery use therein intoxicating liquors violation laws thereof hereby prohibited dictum contained state board young market classification recognized amendment deemed forbidden fourteenth inapplicable case amendment recognize even indirectly classifications based upon gender accompanying text demonstrates statement relied upon recent cases considered fourteenth amendment challenges state liquor regulation thus statistics govern permissibility state alcohol regulation without regard equal protection clause limiting principle might follow state freely favor jews italian catholics expense americans since available studies regularly demonstrate former two groups exhibit lowest rates problem drinking see haberman sheinberg implicative drinking reported household survey corroborative note subgroup differences studies alcohol wechsler thum demone dwinnell social characteristics blood alcohol level studies alcohol wechsler demone thum kasey difference alcohol consumption health soc behavior schmidt popham impressions jewish alcoholics studies alcohol similarly state allowed simply depend upon demographic characteristics adolescents identifying problem drinkers statistics might support conclusion black teenagers permitted drink followed whites american indians lowest proportions abstainers highest proportions heavy drinkers summary final report national study adolescent drinking behavior attitudes correlates center study social behavior research triangle apr percentage heavy adolescent drinkers race black white american indian past acted upon notions drinking propensities entire groups fashioning alcohol policies typical recipient treatment american indian indeed several established criminal sanctions sale alcohol indian half quarter breed indian see stat ann supp repealed iowa code ann supp repealed stat ann repealed neb rev stat repealed utah code ann supp repealed statutes constitutional provisions proscribed introduction alcoholic beverages onto indian reservations see act june stat ariz art xx art xxi okla art provisions common state alcohol beverage prohibitions also directed groups notably german italian catholic immigrants see higham strangers land repeal laws signals society perception unfairness questionable constitutionality singling groups bear brunt alcohol regulation insofar goesaert cleary may inconsistent decision disapproved undoubtedly reflecting view goesaert equal protection analysis longer obtains district made reference decision upholding oklahoma statute similarly opinions federal state courts cited earlier text invalidating gender lines respect alcohol regulation uniformly disparaged contemporary vitality goesaert noted stanton stanton oklahoma legislature free redefine cutoff age purchase sale beer may choose provided redefinition operates fashion justice powell concurring join opinion general agreement reservations discussion concerning appropriate standard equal protection analysis relevance statistical evidence accordingly add concurring statement respect equal protection standard agree reed reed relevant precedent find unnecessary deciding case read decision broadly language may imply reed subsequent cases involving classifications make clear subjects classifications critical examination normally applied fundamental constitutional rights suspect classes present view relatively easy case one questions legitimacy importance asserted governmental objective promotion highway safety decision case turns whether state legislature classification chosen adopted means bears fair substantial relation objective quoting royster guano virginia seems statistics offered appellees relied upon district tend generally support view young men drive possibly inclined drink various reasons involved accidents young women even persuaded facts inferences fairly drawn justify classification based age differential sexes especially one easily circumvented virtually meaningless putting differently classification bear fair substantial relation object legislation evident opinions difficulty agreeing upon standard equal protection analysis applied consistently wide variety legislative classifications valid reasons dissatisfaction approach prominent decisions past decade although viewed many substitute critical analysis approach narrowly limited substantial precedential support true reed progeny decision today viewed approach endorse characterization welcome subdividing equal protection analysis candor compels recognition relatively deferential rational basis standard review normally applied takes sharper focus address classification much clear recent cases thoughtful discussions equal protection analysis see gunther term foreword search evolving doctrine changing model newer equal protection harv rev wilkinson equal protection clause three faces constitutional equality rev justice stevens concurring one equal protection clause requires every state govern impartially direct courts apply one standard review cases different standard cases whatever criticism may leveled judicial opinion implying least three standards applies force double standard inclined believe become known analysis equal protection claims describe completely logical method deciding cases rather method employed explain decisions actually apply single standard reasonably consistent fashion also suspect careful explanation reasons motivating particular decisions may contribute identification standard attempt articulate terms may therefore appropriate state principal reasons persuaded join opinion case classification obnoxious condemned inoffensive accepted objectionable based accident birth mere remnant almost universally rejected tradition discriminating males age bracket extent reflects physical difference males females actually perverse question whether traffic safety justification put forward state sufficient make otherwise offensive classification acceptable classification totally irrational evidence indicate males females age bracket drive also drink nevertheless several reasons regard justification unacceptable difficult believe statute actually intended cope problem traffic safety since minimal effect access intoxicating beverage prohibit consumption moreover empirical data submitted state accentuate unfairness treating males inferior female counterparts legislation imposes restraint males class allegedly probably violated one laws relating consumption alcoholic beverages unlikely law significant deterrent effect either even assuming slight benefit seem insult young men state justified visiting sins men general class victims kind historic pervasive discrimination disadvantaged groups ince sex like race national origin immutable characteristic determined solely accident birth imposition special disabilities upon members particular sex sex seem violate basic concept system legal burdens bear relationship individual responsibility weber aetna casualty surety frontiero richardson apparently oklahoma state permit narrow discrimination survive elimination disparity age majority males females males generally heavier females greater capacity consume alcohol without impairing driving ability females legislative history indicate purpose several features statutory scheme indicate contrary statute exempts license holders dispense beer children related statute makes unlawful men women work establishments beer accounts gross sales okla tit supp course way knowing actually motivated discrimination surprised represented nothing perpetuation stereotyped attitude relative maturity members two sexes age bracket following comment relevant traditional classification likely used without pausing consider justification newly created classification habit rather analysis makes seem acceptable natural distinguish male female alien citizen legitimate illegitimate much history inertia distinguishing black white sort stereotyped reaction may rational relationship pure prejudicial discrimination stated purpose classification made mathews lucas stevens dissenting forbids sale beer men without forbidding possession preventing obtaining sources friends either older female thus statute slightly impedes access beer direct evidence submitted state concerning use beer young drivers indicates substantial difference sexes random roadside survey drivers male drivers consumed alcohol within two hours interview opposed women nonabstainers groups expressed preference beer men opposed women blood alcohol concentrations see ante justice blackmun concurring part join opinion except part thereof agree however amendment save challenged oklahoma statute justice stewart concurring judgment agree appellant whitener standing assert equal protection claims males years old eisenstadt baird griswold connecticut barrows jackson buchanan warley see note standing assert constitutional jus tertii harv rev also concur judgment merits constitutional issue us every state broad power amendment control dispensation alcoholic beverages within borders california larue joseph seagram sons hostetter hostetter idlewild bon voyage liquor mahoney joseph triner state board young market say amendment empowers state act total irrationality invidious discrimination controlling distribution dispensation liquor california larue supra concurring opinion disparity created oklahoma statutes amounts total irrationality statistics upon state relies whatever shortcomings wholly fail prove even suggest beer somehow deleterious comes hands male aged female like age disparate statutory treatment sexes without even colorably valid justification explanation thus amounts invidious discrimination see reed reed chief justice burger dissenting general agreement justice rehnquist dissent even risk compounding obvious confusion created voting reverse district add words outset agree appellant whitener standing arising status saloonkeeper assert constitutional rights customers litigant may assert constitutional rights immunities raines strictly limited exceptions rule despite creative efforts case fits within none sullivan little hunting park barrows jackson barrier whatever oklahoma males years age asserting appropriate forum constitutional rights may claim purchase beer craig successful litigation issue prevented advent birthday thus danger interminable dilution rights appellant whitener permitted litigate cf eisenstadt baird controlled griswold connecticut borders ludicrous draw parallel vendor beer intimate professional relationship undergirded relaxation standing rules case even eisenstadt carefully limited recognition standing cases relationship claimant relevant third party simply fortuitous connection vendor potential vendees relationship one acted protect rights minority minority plainly case see also mcgowan maryland brown sum permitting vendor assert constitutional rights vendees whenever rights arguably infringed introduces new concept constitutional standing subscribe merits recently recognized duty create substantive constitutional rights name guaranteeing equal protection laws san antonio school dist rodriguez thus even interests importance society public education housing qualify fundamental rights equal protection purposes textually independent constitutional status see education lindsey normet housing though today decision go far make classifications suspect makes gender disfavored classification without independent constitutional basis supporting right asserted disfavoring classification adopted justify substantive constitutional protection normal mcgowan maryland supra protection afforded equal protection clause means employed oklahoma legislature achieve objectives sought may agreeable judges since eight members think means irrational see basis striking statute violative constitution simply find unwise unneeded possibly even bit foolish justice rehnquist affirm judgment district justice rehnquist dissenting disposition case objectionable two grounds first conclusion men challenging statute treats less favorably women may invoke stringent standard judicial review pertains types classifications second enunciation standard without citation source classifications gender must serve important governmental objectives must substantially related achievement objectives ante emphasis added redeeming feature opinion mind apparently signals retreat joined plurality opinion frontiero richardson view sex suspect classification purposes equal protection analysis think oklahoma statute challenged need pass rational basis equal protection analysis expounded cases mcgowan maryland williamson lee optical believe constitutional analysis frontiero richardson supra opinion plurality sets forth reasons four justices concluding sex regarded suspect classification purposes equal protection analysis reasons center nation long unfortunate history sex discrimination reflected whole range restrictions legal rights women least concerned ownership property participation electoral process noting pervasive persistent nature discrimination experienced women part result ready identifiability plurality rested invocation strict scrutiny largely upon fact statutory distinctions sexes often effect invidiously relegating entire class females inferior legal status without regard actual capabilities individual members see stanton stanton subsequent frontiero declined hold sex suspect class stanton stanton supra holding imported resolution case however application elevated intermediate level scrutiny like invoked cases dealing discrimination females raises question statute treated differently countless legislative classifications unrelated sex upheld minimum rationality standard jefferson hackney richardson belcher dandridge williams mcgowan maryland supra flemming nestor williamson lee optical supra obviously unavailable support kind special scrutiny case history pattern past discrimination relied plurality frontiero support invocation strict scrutiny suggestion opinion males age group way peculiarly disadvantaged subject systematic discriminatory treatment otherwise need special solicitude courts discuss nature right involved reason believe sees purchase beer implicating important interest let alone one fundamental constitutional sense invoking strict scrutiny indeed accurate observation statute affects selling drinking beer ante emphasizes limited effect even persons age group involved sum nothing statutory classification involved suggest affects interest works group claim equal protection clause entitled special judicial protection true number opinions contain broadly phrased dicta implying test applied classifications based sex whether affecting females males frontiero richardson supra reed reed however today decision applied elevated level scrutiny invalidate statutory discrimination harmful males except statute impaired important personal interest protected constitution interest plausible argument discrimination females reliance previous cases treats gender classification talisman without regard rights involved persons affected calls effect heavier burden judicial review conclusion law treats males less favorably females must serve important governmental objectives must substantially related achievement objectives apparently comes thin air equal protection clause contains language none previous cases adopt standard think enough difficulty two standards review cases recognized norm rational basis compelling state interest required suspect classification involved counsel weightily insertion still another standard two divine objectives important determine whether particular law substantially related achievement objective rather related way achievement phrases used diaphanous elastic invite subjective judicial preferences prejudices relating particular types legislation masquerading judgments whether legislation directed important objectives whether relationship objectives substantial enough thought leave anything decision popularly elected branches government constitutional claim equal protection invoked decision governmental objectives achieved law important second part new test judicial branch probably worse position legislative executive branches determine rational relationship classification purpose might thought serve introduction adverb substantially requires courts make subjective judgments operational effects neither expertise access data fits even manage avoid confusion mirroring preferences development new doctrine thousands judges courts must interpret equal protection clause may fortunate ii applicable test one permits wide scope discretion enacting laws affect groups citizens differently others constitutional safeguard offended classification rests grounds wholly irrelevant achievement state objective state legislatures presumed acted within constitutional power despite fact practice laws result inequality statutory discrimination set aside state facts reasonably may conceived justify mcgowan maryland citations omitted accept purposes discussion district finding purpose provisions question traffic safety proceeds examine statistical evidence record order decide distinction closely serves achieve objective ante emphasis added whether difference laws closely serv objectives substantially related achievement ante told believe traditional type scrutiny appropriate case think done well heed warning unrealistic expect members judiciary well versed rigors experimental statistical technique ante one need immerse oneself fine points statistical analysis however order see weaknesses attempted denigration evidence hand one survey arrest statistics assembled indicated males age group arrested driving influence almost times often female counterparts drunkenness ratio almost accepting appellants comparison total figures oklahoma census data survey indicates arrest rate among males age group compared rate among females surveys indicated period nationwide arrests among drunken driving increased persons arrested drunken driving male youths age group overrepresented among killed injured oklahoma traffic accidents male casualties substantially exceeded female deaths age group continued rise overall traffic deaths declined drivers oklahoma city area males average drives half many miles per year female counterparts male drivers oklahoma city area state drink preference beer female drivers age state preference percentage male drivers admitting drinking within two hours driving half larger percentage females percentage male drivers age group blood alcohol content greater almost half larger female drivers criticism statistics relied district conveys impression legislature enacting new law subjected judicial equivalent doctoral examination statistics legislatures held rules evidence may govern courts administrative bodies entitled draw factual conclusions basis determination probable cause arrest police officer normally represents situation reasonably infer incidence drunk driving good deal higher incidence arrest observes relying report presidential commission cites statistics may distorted result stereotyping legislature required prove statistics perfect event stereotypes pervasive suggests may turn influence conduct men women question cause young men conform wild reckless image stereotype also complains insufficient integration various surveys several counts injury death figures way directly correlated intoxication ante national figures drunk driving contain breakdown group ante arrest records intoxication tied consumption beer ante nn state oklahoma certainly purposes equal protection review surely take notice fact drunkenness significant cause traffic casualties youthful offenders participated increase problem latter point survey data indicating increased driving casualties among overall casualties dropped irrelevant unreasonable conclude expressed preference beer males beverage predominant source arrests taking predicate state reasonably bar males purchases alcoholic beer including variety lacks expertise data evaluate intoxicating properties beverage posture appropriate course defer reasonable inference supporting statute taken sufficient quantity beer effect alcoholic beverage quite apart alleged methodological deficiencies statistical evidence appears hold evidence face fails support distinction drawn statute notes males females age group arrested drunk driving low figure establishes unduly tenuous fit maleness drunk driving group point misconceives nature equal protection inquiry rationality statutory classification equal protection purposes depend upon statistical fit class trait sought singled turns whether may sufficiently higher incidence trait within included class excluded class justify different treatment therefore present equal protection challenge discrimination poses question whether incidence drunk driving among young men sufficiently greater among young women justify differential treatment notwithstanding critique statistical evidence evidence suggests clear differences drinking driving habits young men women differences grounds enough state reasonably conclude young males pose far greater hazard terms sheer numbers terms hazard basis difference treatment case therefore irrational argument correlation maleness drunk driving constitutionally insufficient therefore pose equal protection issue concerning discrimination males females clearest demonstration fact precise argument made equally applicable flat bar purchases anyone male female age group fact apply fortiori case given even tenuous fit arrests femaleness statistics indicate age group population whole arrested argument relevant equal protection due process whether enough persons category drive drunk justify bar purchases members group cast terms argument carries little weight light decisions indicating questions call balance state interest harm resulting overinclusiveness underinclusiveness vlandis kline personal interest harmed minor present legislation implicates right purchase beer certainly far cry important personal interests occasion supported invalidation statutes similar reasoning cleveland board education lafleur stanley illinois state interest involved significant prevention injury death highways case classification justified grounds administrative convenience vlandis kline supra stanley illinois supra apparent way single persons likely drink drive seems plain legislature faced atypical legislative problem legislating terms broad categories regard purchase consumption alcohol trust especially light amendment due process violation one age group allowed purchase beer since males drink drive higher rate age group whole fail see statutory bar regard create due process problem oklahoma legislature believed males drive substantially tend often intoxicated female counterparts prefer beer admit drinking driving higher rate females suffer traffic injuries proportion part make population appropriate test equal protection neither irrational arbitrary bar making purchases beer purchases might many cases made young man immediately returns vehicle beverage possession record give good indication true proportion males age group drink drive except doubt greater arrested whatever may see mere purchase right involved conceivably raise due process question violation either equal protection due process statute accordingly upheld stanley illinois struck statute allowing separation illegitimate children surviving father surviving mother without showing parental unfitness stated interest parent companionship care custody management children come momentum respect lacking appeal made liberties derive merely shifting economic arrangements kahn shevin upheld florida property tax exemption widows opinion appears apply test understood dissenters brennan joined marshall dissenting weinberger wiesenfeld invalidated social security act allowed benefits mothers fathers minor children survive wage earner statute treated opinion discrimination female wage earners ground minimizes financial security work efforts provide families unaware argument time time advanced discriminations sexes ultimately redound detriment females tend reinforce old notions restricting roles opportunities women general proposition applying equally sex categorizations believe argument implicitly found carry little weight decisions upholding differences see schlesinger ballard kahn shevin supra seeing assertion special applicability situation hand believe dismissed insubstantial consideration extract oklahoma bureau investigation arrest statistics september october november december defendants exhibit jurisdictional statement extract oklahoma city police department arrest statistics defendants exhibit jurisdictional statement see ante extract federal bureau investigation crime defendants exhibit app extract oklahoma department public safety summary statewide collisions defendants exhibits jurisdictional statement extract oklahoma management engineering consulting report alcohol safety action program defendants exhibit table jurisdictional statement table table table see ante