Running head: EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

Equal Rights Amendment

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Introduction

Women empowerment exists as an important strategy for promoting gender equality in

society. Gender equality implies that women and men possess equal opportunities and power for

personal development, education, and financial freedom. Women empowerment involves

offering them freedom, constitutional protection, resources, opportunities, and decision-making

power. Astor, Lyons, and Salam, in their article, regarding the Equal Rights Amendment as an

effective tool for gender equality promotion.

Article Summary

Legislators have spent approximately 100 years trying to integrate a gender equality

legislation with the U.S. Constitution. In 1972, legislators managed to pass the Equal Rights

Amendment (E.R.A.) to guarantee women and men equal rights. Supporters believed that

E.R.A.'s enactment would eliminate gender-based discrimination in American society and

corporate workplaces (Astor, Lyons, & Salam, 2020). Gender equality implied that women and

men would receive equal salaries and employment opportunities. Under this legislation, men are

entitled to paid paternity leave. Furthermore, legislation gave states mandates of intervening in

sexual harassment and domestic violence. Today, 80 percent of U.S. citizens believe that the

Constitution guarantees men and women equal rights.

However, critics believe that E.R.A. would undermine the religious practice and

traditional family structure. Critics believe that implementation of this legislation would create

chaos in the society. For instance, they observe a scenario where the legislation would substitute

single-sex bathrooms and dormitories with unisex ones. The criticism targeting the E.R.A. has

slowed down its implementation in the nation. Furthermore, supporters have identified huge gaps
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in this legislation at the state and federal level. The group of individuals observes that the

legislation only offers women voting rights. Therefore, the supporters feel that a Constitutional

amendment should be conducted to strengthen this legislation. The amendment should fill the

existing gaps in this legislation to improve the welfare of women in society. The existing gaps in

this legislation mean that gender inequality is still present in the country. The American society

still upholds a patriarchal system that recognizes the male superiority to their female colleagues.

Analysis

The women empowerment progress described in the article is consistent with results

obtained from other studies. For example, Alkadry and Tower (2014) observe that the

Constitution has legislation that represents women's rights. However, the loopholes existing in

this legislation have created challenges eradicating a patriarchal societal system. Currently,

workplace laws implemented at the state and the federal government still place men above

women (Alkadry & Tower, 2014). Women are also underrepresented in high paying professions

like science and engineering. Women still experience oppression and discrimination in society

and society and workplaces. The authors also believe that gender equality legislation should be

improved to eliminate female discrimination, oppression, and stereotyping.

Conclusion

Astor, Lyons, and Salam observe that E.R.A. focuses on creating gender equality in

workplaces and society. However, anti-feminists in society have hindered the implementation of

this legislation. The authors observe that the amendment still has gaps that hinder the elimination

of patriarchy. The authors conclude that further amendments should be conducted to strengthen

gender equality legislation.

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Reference

Alkadry, M. G., & Tower, L. E. (2014). Women and public service: Barriers, challenges and

opportunities. Routledge.

Astor, M., Lyons, P. J., & Salam, M. (2020, January 15). Why the Equal Rights Amendment Is

Back. The New York Times Company. Retrieved from

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/us/what-is-equal-rights-amendment.html