While middle class feminists regard the oppression of women as an inherent biological trait of men, Marxism explains that the root of women's oppression lies not in biology, but in social conditions. Women constitute half the human race, and have faced discrimination and degradation in many areas of life. The oppression of women in the third world has reached such high levels. It is accompanied by child prostitution, bonded-labour and slavery. Recently, an Iranian Islamic court found a woman guilty of adultery. For this heinous crime, she was sentenced to death by stoning. Here, in its most cruel and brutal form, is reflected the worse features of class society. In the 'civilised' west, working class women are treated as second-class citizens, many of who are forced into the menial jobs on poor wages. Despite equal pay legislation, employers still continue to discriminate against women in terms of pay and conditions. These social constraints which women face are seen throughout the world, not only with discrimination of pay but with a double standard in everyday life. The debate of the double standard is continuously argued by men who claim it doesn't exist.