Policies that restrict a specific group’s participation in p…

Policies that restrict a specific group’s participation in public life (such as limiting their political roles, educational access, or work opportunities) are often justified by the claim that they are necessary to “protect” that group from perceived harm, corruption, or hardship. This rationale is most accurately characterized as:

A state legislature passes a law that grants automatic survi…

A state legislature passes a law that grants automatic survivor benefits to widows (women) but requires widowers (men) to prove they were financially dependent on their deceased wives to receive the same benefits. If this law is challenged under the Equal Protection Clause, which standard of review would the Supreme Court apply?