Equal Rights Amendment

Definition

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution aimed at guaranteeing equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. It was first introduced in 1923 and seeks to eliminate legal distinctions between men and women in matters of divorce, property, employment, and other areas. The ERA is deeply connected to movements that advocate for women's rights and gender equality, highlighting the importance of both legal recognition and cultural change in achieving true equality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress in 1972 but has not been ratified by the necessary three-fourths of state legislatures.
2. The ERA was initially drafted by Alice Paul and the National Women's Party to ensure that women's rights were explicitly protected under the Constitution.
3. Opposition to the ERA emerged from various groups who believed it would undermine traditional family structures and lead to unintended consequences, such as women being drafted into the military.
4. In 1982, the deadline for state ratification was extended but ultimately expired without enough states supporting the amendment.
5. Recent movements have revived interest in the ERA, with some states ratifying it after the original deadline and ongoing debates about its legal status.

Review Questions

• How does the Equal Rights Amendment relate to liberal feminist goals regarding legal reforms?
  • The Equal Rights Amendment aligns closely with liberal feminist goals as it seeks to secure legal equality between genders through constitutional protection. Liberal feminists advocate for equal opportunities within existing frameworks, and the ERA serves as a crucial legal tool to challenge discrimination and promote gender equality in various aspects of life, such as employment and family law. The push for the ERA highlights the belief that legal recognition is essential for achieving substantive change in society.
• Analyze the impact of consciousness-raising groups on the campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment.
  • Consciousness-raising groups played a significant role in the campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment by empowering women to share their personal experiences of inequality and discrimination. These discussions helped to raise awareness about systemic gender issues and mobilized support for the ERA among participants. By fostering a sense of solidarity and collective action, consciousness-raising not only influenced public opinion but also inspired many activists to become involved in advocating for the amendment.
• Evaluate the reasons behind both the support and opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment throughout its history.
  • Support for the Equal Rights Amendment stemmed from a broad coalition of feminists, civil rights activists, and social reformers who viewed it as essential for ensuring legal equality and dismantling systemic discrimination against women. Conversely, opposition arose from conservative groups who feared that the amendment would disrupt traditional family roles and lead to unintended consequences, such as women losing protective labor laws. This complex interplay of advocacy and resistance reflects deeper societal debates about gender roles, equality, and the changing dynamics within American families.

Related terms

Liberal Feminism: A branch of feminism that advocates for women's rights through legal reforms and policy changes, emphasizing equal access to opportunities and rights within existing societal structures.

Consciousness-Raising: A feminist practice aimed at increasing awareness of women's social and political issues by sharing personal experiences and discussing gender inequalities in a supportive group setting.

Feminist Movement: A collective term for various social movements that seek to establish and achieve equal rights for women, focusing on issues such as voting rights, reproductive rights, and workplace equality.