 In order to pass an intermediate scrutiny test, "the challenged law must further an important government interest by means that are substantially related to that interest".According to Justice Rehnquist, the law aided in the prevention of teen pregnancy, which was a major goal of the state of California.In the trial, the state of California argued that, "the language of [the statutory rape law] and the policy and intent of the California legislature evinced in other legislation demonstrate that the prevention of pregnancy and the prevention of physical harm to female minors are the primary purposes underlying [the law]," This argument emphasizes how the gender bias found in California's statutory rape law aids in furthering the state's goal of preventing teenage pregnancy.