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The Equal Rights Amendment

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The Equal Rights Amendment

Introduction

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States

Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of

sex. The amendment aimed to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of

divorce, property, employment, and other matters. Although the ERA was first introduced in

1923, it gained significant momentum during the 1960s and 1970s as part of the second wave

of the feminist movement. The struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment reflects the

complexity of gender equality issues in American society, demonstrating the tensions

between traditional gender roles and the push for legal and social equality.

Causes of the Equal Rights Amendment

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) primarily emerged in response to the deep-

rooted gender imbalances pervasive in American society. Females experienced systemic

prejudice concerning employment, wages, and legal rights, igniting dissatisfaction among

feminist activists. The surge of the 1960s-1970s women's rights movement, occurring

alongside the Civil Rights Movement, escalated demands for legislative changes addressing

gender-related disparities. Strengthened by the evolving roles of women within society -

marked by heightened participation in professional domains and advanced education - the

ERA aimed to confront ingrained gender prejudices. Its genesis was rooted in the pressing

necessity to rectify biased practices and institute comprehensive constitutional protections for

gender equity.

Moreover, the ERA's impetus was propelled by the evolving social and cultural

dynamics of the era. The shifting roles of women, increasingly active in the workforce and

pursuing higher education, underscored the necessity for legal safeguards to counter
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discriminatory practices. Simultaneously, the concerted efforts of influential advocates

including Betty Friedan, Gloria Steinem, and the National Organization for Women (NOW)

amplified public consciousness and backing for the ERA (Davis, 2008). Their collective

activism not only highlighted the pressing need for gender equality but also fostered a

broader societal understanding of the significance of the proposed constitutional amendment.

The immediate triggers for the ERA were twofold: the mounting calls for gender

parity and the urgency to rectify legal gaps enabling gender discrimination. Pressing demands

to bridge inequalities in employment, property rights, and marital laws highlighted the

imperative for a robust constitutional amendment. This amendment aimed to establish

unequivocal rights and protections for all individuals, regardless of gender. The ERA

emerged as a crucial response to the systemic legal loopholes perpetuating gender-based

disparities, addressing the acute need for comprehensive legislative measures to ensure

gender equality under the law.

The course of the Equal Rights Amendment

The progression of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) witnessed an extended battle

marked by impassioned advocacy, strategic political machinations, and pronounced

ideological disparities. Essential contributors encompassed prominent activists, policymakers,

and community-based organizations. Preeminent among the supporters were individuals like

Betty Friedan, renowned for her groundbreaking book "The Feminine Mystique," which

ignited the contemporary feminist movement. Friedan, in conjunction with other notable

advocates such as Gloria Steinem and Shirley Chisholm, persistently championed the ERA's

adoption, underlining the urgency of legalizing gender parity to deconstruct ingrained

discrimination. In stark opposition, conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly surfaced as a

formidable opponent of the ERA, orchestrating the STOP ERA campaign. Schlafly
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contended that implementing the ERA would undermine conventional family values,

endanger women's privileges, and destabilize social standards. Her community-driven

initiatives attracted considerable backing from similarly inclined parties and institutions,

shaping a vocal resistance against the amendment's approval.

Throughout the ERA's trajectory, crucial participants' viewpoints substantially

diverged. Advocates stressed the urgency of instituting constitutional safeguards to eradicate

gender-based inequalities, highlighting the necessity for legal recourse against discrimination

in various life domains, encompassing employment and family legislation. They perceived

the ERA as an essential stride towards cultivating societal parity and dismantling ingrained

gender prejudices. Conversely, ERA opponents accentuated the conservation of traditional

family values and gender functions, expressing apprehensions that the amendment would

destabilize the prevailing societal hierarchy and weaken benefits and protections granted to

women. Their perspectives revolved around the alleged societal repercussions of the ERA,

with a focus on the potential deterioration of cultural standards and family frameworks. These

divergent perspectives forged a contentious and polarized discourse, underlining the intricate

and multifaceted nature of the ERA's course through American society.

Consequences of the Equal Rights Amendment

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) had both immediate and long-term

consequences that significantly shaped American society. In the immediate aftermath of the

ERA's introduction and subsequent debates, the nation witnessed heightened awareness and

public discourse regarding gender equality and women's rights. The intense advocacy for the

ERA brought to the forefront critical discussions on the persistence of gender-based

discrimination and the need for comprehensive legal protections. The era of ERA activism

fostered a more inclusive understanding of gender equality issues, encouraging a broader

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societal dialogue on women's rights and gender roles. Despite its failure to be ratified, the

ERA had profound long-term impacts on American society. Its advocacy and subsequent

debates spurred the passage of numerous state-level equal rights provisions, further

solidifying the legal protections for gender equality at the regional level. The ERA's legacy

also influenced the interpretation and application of existing anti-discrimination laws,

prompting more robust enforcement measures to address gender-based disparities in

employment, education, and other sectors.

Additionally, the ERA's long-lasting significance rested in its facilitation of cultural

attitude shifts towards gender roles and the progressive status of women within American

society. The unwavering activism surrounding the ERA motivated later cohorts of feminists

and proponents to persist in advocating for women's rights and confronting social standards

that perpetuate gender disparities. The ERA's influence resonated throughout various aspects

of American life, engendering a more comprehensive and equitable environment for women

in professional, educational, and civic life. Moreover, the ERA's contentious trajectory

incited a wider reassessment of societal standards and principles, provoking an in-depth

contemplation of the changing dynamics of family structures and gender associations. The

ongoing debates and deliberations involving the ERA underscored the intricacy of realizing

gender equality among varied societal anticipations and cultural customs. Consequently, the

ERA's legacy endures as a catalyst for persistent endeavors to advance inclusivity and

disassemble ingrained gender biases within American society.

Historical evidence

In "Conversations with Alice Paul: Woman Suffrage and the Equal Rights

Amendment," an interview conducted by Amelia R. Fry with Alice Paul, delves into the

profound impact of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) on American society, as articulated
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by Alice Paul herself, a key figure in the women's suffrage movement (Fry, 1973). Paul's

insights provide historical evidence of the enduring legacy of the ERA despite its failure to be

ratified. She emphasizes how the ERA served as a pivotal catalyst for subsequent legal

reforms at the state level, highlighting its role in bolstering the passage of state-level equal

rights provisions aimed at addressing gender-based disparities in various spheres of life.

Paul's accounts underscore the far-reaching influence of the ERA, extending beyond its

immediate legislative fate to shape the trajectory of gender equality initiatives at both the

regional and national levels.

Furthermore, "Conversations with Alice Paul" illuminates the profound cultural

impact of the ERA on American society as Paul reflects on the transformative nature of the

era of ERA activism. Through her perspectives, the interview emphasizes how the sustained

advocacy for the ERA instigated a broader societal dialogue on women's rights and

challenged prevailing gender norms. Paul's firsthand accounts provide historical evidence of

the ERA's role in stimulating a more inclusive understanding of gender equality, paving the

way for a reevaluation of societal attitudes toward women's roles and contributions. Her

insights underscore the lasting significance of the ERA in shaping the evolving status of

women in American society and fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment for

future generations.

Conclusion

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is personally significant as it symbolizes the

ongoing struggle for gender equality and the tireless efforts of activists to challenge systemic

discrimination. Its historical relevance resonates with the continuous pursuit of inclusivity

and social justice. Researching the ERA expanded my understanding of the complexities

underlying gender equality movements. Analyzing primary sources like speeches and letters
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provided a nuanced perspective on the diverse motivations and perspectives of both

proponents and opponents, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the ERA's impact. A

historian could further investigate the ERA's implications for contemporary gender equality

initiatives by examining its influence on recent legislative developments and court rulings.

Exploring the socio-political context of subsequent gender-related debates and reforms would

illuminate the lasting impact of the ERA on the evolution of women's rights in the United

States.
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References
Davis, M. (2008). THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT: THEN AND NOW.

https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:332626/fulltext.pdf

Fry, A. R. (1973). Conversations with Alice Paul: Woman Suffrage and the Equal Rights

Amendment. Oac.cdlib.org. https://oac.cdlib.org/view?

docId=kt6f59n89c&brand=oac4&doc.view=entire_text