Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Definition

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. Introduced in Congress in 1923, it aimed to eliminate legal distinctions between men and women in matters of divorce, property, employment, and other legal rights. The ERA became a central focus of the women's liberation movement, as it symbolized the push for gender equality and aimed to secure the same legal protections for women as those enjoyed by men.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ERA was passed by Congress in 1972 but has not yet been ratified by the required number of states to become law.
2. The amendment states, 'Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.'
3. Despite gaining significant support during the 1970s, the ERA faced opposition from various groups, leading to a decline in momentum.
4. The original deadline for ratification was set for 1979 but was extended to 1982; however, it still fell short of the necessary state approvals.
5. The ongoing debate about the ERA reflects broader issues related to gender equality and women’s rights, making it a pivotal point in discussions during the women's liberation movement.

Review Questions

• How did the Equal Rights Amendment reflect the goals and aspirations of the women's liberation movement during its peak?
  • The Equal Rights Amendment encapsulated the core goals of the women's liberation movement by advocating for legal equality between men and women. It represented a collective effort to challenge systemic discrimination and aimed to ensure that women had equal rights in all aspects of life, including work, family law, and property ownership. As activists pushed for its ratification, they emphasized that achieving gender equality required constitutional protections to dismantle patriarchal structures.
• Discuss the factors that contributed to both support and opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment throughout its history.
  • Support for the Equal Rights Amendment was bolstered by feminist organizations and civil rights advocates who argued that equal legal protections were necessary for true gender equality. However, opposition emerged from conservative groups who feared that the ERA would undermine traditional family structures and lead to negative social changes. This division highlighted deeper societal beliefs about gender roles and influenced legislative dynamics regarding women’s rights during that era.
• Evaluate the implications of the ongoing debate surrounding the Equal Rights Amendment on contemporary discussions about gender equality in America.
  • The ongoing debate over the Equal Rights Amendment significantly impacts contemporary discussions about gender equality by highlighting persistent disparities in legal protections for women. The reluctance to fully ratify the ERA has drawn attention to issues such as wage gaps, reproductive rights, and workplace discrimination. This enduring conversation demonstrates that while progress has been made since the amendment's introduction, many advocates argue that a constitutional guarantee is still needed to protect against potential rollbacks in women's rights.

Related terms

Feminism: A social and political movement advocating for women's rights and equality between genders, which has been influential in shaping discussions around the ERA.

Title IX:

A federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program receiving federal funds, reflecting the goals of the ERA.

Patriarchy:

A social system where men hold primary power and dominate roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property, which the ERA sought to challenge.