Muller v. Oregon (1908) Definition

A U.S. Supreme Court decision that found constitutional an Oregon law prohibiting women to work more than 10 hours per day in certain occupations. Muller, convicted of violating the law, claimed that it infringed on the right to make contracts, a right protected by the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

The Court disagreed, finding the law to be an appropriate exercise of Oregon's power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of women. Its reasoning reflected prevailing gender-based prejudices of the day. "[A]s healthy mothers are essential to vigorous offspring, the physical well-being of woman becomes an object of public interest and care in order to preserve the strength and vigor of the race." Muller v. Oregon, 208 U.S. 412, 421 (1908).